KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Minister for Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda has defended the Shs2.5 billion budget for the burial of Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, the deceased former speaker of parliament, saying what matters is the status of the deceased, and not the figures stated.
The minister’s comments come shortly after the budget attracted mixed reactions with many wondering why government is ‘overspending’ on the burial of high profile persons in the country.
The shs2.5bn budget comes at the backdrop of another shs400m the government budgeted and spent for the send-off of the former bank of Uganda governor, the late Prof. Emmanuel-Tumusiime Mutebile.
According to Ms. Babalanda, who is also chairperson of the National Organising Committee (NOC) for fallen Speaker Jacob Oulanyah’s funeral ceremony, the Shs2.5 billion will be spent on over six items, which will include funeral services, A-Plus services, the Finance Committee, Acholi MPs, security, burial day, and fuel.
“Regarding the budget for burying Rt. Hon. Oulanyah, what matters is not the figures but the activities involved and status of the deceased. Let us avoid traumatizing the family in this trying time,” Babalanda said Tuesday morning.
Well-Placed sources close to the burial committee have further revealed to DailyExpress that the s.5bn budget excludes medical and funeral home bills in the US as well as expenses of flying back Oulanyah’s body.
The casket containing the former speaker’s remains is expected to arrive by Ethiopian Airlines at Entebbe International Airport this Friday, and will be accompanied by Oulanyah’s family in the US and Ms Patricia Lakidi, described in medical documents as the deceased’s “partner”.
The ex-Omoro Member of Parliament’s time at the University of Washington Medical Centre was marked by protests outside the facility by the Ugandan Diaspora community over initial reports, which Uganda Airlines dismissed without providing alternative figures, that airlifting him to America cost Shs1.7b.
Oulanyah Burial Budget in Numbers
Number Item Cost
| Muyenga (Oulanyah’s Home) | ||
| 1 | Sitting and Ushering | Shs2.8m |
| 2 | Health service | Shs13.5. |
| 3 | Ceremonies | Shs12.3m |
| 4 | Protocol | Shs3.6m |
| 5 | A-Plus Funeral Services | Shs75m |
| Kololo Grounds (Funeral State Honor) | ||
| 6 | Decoration | Shs8.9m |
| 7 | Sitting and ushering | Shs8.1m |
| 9 | Ceremonies | Shs4.4m |
| 10 | Accreditation | Shs26m |
| 11 | Construction | Shs19m |
| 12 | Protocol | Shs1.9m |
| 13 | First aid | Shs10.5m |
| 14 | Finance sub-committee | Shs20m |
| 15 | Health service (Covid-19) | Shs60m |
| 16 | Publicity | Shs18m |
| 17 | A-Plus funeral services | Shs151m |
| Omoro (Oulanyah’s Country Home & Burial Grounds) | ||
| 18 | Decoration | Shs12m |
| 19 | Sitting and ushering | Shs14.7m |
| 20 | Ceremonies | Shs30.6m |
| 21 | Fuel for coordination | Shs124m |
| 22 | Construction | Shs3m |
| 23 | Protocol | Shs2.2m |
| 24 | Funeral service (general) | Shs1.1b |
| 25 | Finance sub-committee | Shs228.7m |
| 26 | Security | Shs158.5m |
| 27 | Acholi Parliamentary Group | Shs312.9m |
| 28 | Religious leaders | Shs11m |
| 29 | Health services | Shs34m |
According to an analysis of the above budget, a stipend of shs 1.1bn is expected to be spent on the day Oulanyah’s body will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Omoro in northern Uganda.
As per the law, the day of the burial, which is yet to be specified will be declared a public holiday countrywide.
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