KAMPALA, UGANDA: Government has finally disbursed the Shs1.2 billion funds meant for the burial arrangements of former Speaker Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.
The development was confirmed by Mr. Chris Obore, the Director of Communication and Public Affairs at Parliament in a Monday evening statement on his twitter account
“I can now confirm that the Finance Ministry has released Shs 1.2 billion to the Parliamentary Commission for burial arrangements of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. The commission will work with NOC to ensure decent sendoff,” Obore tweeted.
Obore said that Speaker Anita Among and clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige have marshalled all the efforts to support the national organising committee for a befitting send-off of the late speaker.
“Speaker Anita Among & Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige have marshaled all efforts to support the national organizing committee. Without additional funds , we are handling vigils both at Muyenga & Omoro,” he said in a separate tweet.
The release of the cash comes at a time when the Acholi Parliamentary Group is furious after being told that they will not get any money to prepare for former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah’s burial as it was in the 2.5bn budget.
The group has been decrying the delayed release of the funds for the burial of Oulanyah. After a public outcry, the government cut the budget from Shs 2.5 billion to shs 1.8 billion and now they have confirmed it at Shs 1.2 billion.
The group’s chairperson who is also the Kilak North MP, Anthony Akol said the situation is frustrating and with too much pressure from the district organizing committees in Lalogi village, they have resorted to using their own money to facilitate some of the activities on the ground.
He revealed that Acholi MPs have been contributing at least Shs 2 million to facilitate activities like the Bwola dancers who have since pitched camp in Kampala.
Today (Tuesday, April 5), Oulanyah’s body will be moved to the Parliament for MPs to pay their final respects. On Wednesday there will be a state funeral for Oulanyah at Kololo ceremonial grounds.
The burial will be held on April 8 at his ancestral home at Lalogi village in Omoro and the day will be observed as a public holiday.
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