The Katikkiro of Kingdom of Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga has revealed that the Kabaka did not use the presidential jet while going for treatment as alleged by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo.
The Katikkiro was responding to Chief Justice’s comments of accusing Buganda of double standards since they have never come up condemn the sad protests in US when Oulanya was sick.
The Chief Justice also wondered why they never protested when the Kabaka was flown to Germany for treatment.
The Chief Justice narrated that; “But I am speaking today, and my brother you are here, when Jacob was still alive and strong, he saw the wickedness that was exhibited by people who come from here.
“‘Oulanyah go back home,’ [they said]. ‘why do you come to hospital here [in the United States]? Go back home. You should come and die here [in Uganda],’.”
Protestors wearing red t-shirts similar to the uniform of the National Unity Platform protested outside the hospital in Seattle where Oulanyah had been taken for specialist care after unverified information emerged that the government forked out $500m (Shs1.7b) to charter a Ugandan Airlines plane to fly the speaker to the US.
The Katikkiro has called for calm and respect as the burial preparations for the departed speaker are in high gear.
Below is Katikkiro’s full statement.
The Kingdom of Buganda joins all Ugandans in mourning the untimely death of the Right Honourable Jacob Oulanyah, who was the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda.
Jacob Oulanyah will be remembered as an accomplished lawyer, a skilled and often humorous debater, as well as a consummate politician and legislator.
The Kingdom extends condolences especially to members of his family, his constituents, the people of Acholi, as well as his colleagues in Parliament. In May ,2016, a delegation that I led travelled to Gulu to commemorate the SO'” anniversary of the death of Hon. Daudi Ochieng who was a member of Parliament from Mityana in the Independence Parliament.
We were warmly received by the late Ochieng’s family who were in company of the late Jacob Oulanyah. At that event, which was also attended by Rwot David Onen Acana II, all speakers, including the late Speaker, spoke of the historic brotherly ties between the people of Acholi and Buganda.
We, of the current generation, are proud of that bond and we are keen to maintain it.
It will be recalled that in his maiden speech as Speaker, in May 2021, the Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah urged his fellow legislators to “[put their] faith in facts and sharpening arguments rather than raising our voices”.
It is in that regard that we urge members of the public, including leaders at all levels, to preserve the dignity of the deceased by avoiding unfounded statements which can only cause un warranted debates thereby causing more grief to the deceased’s family, friends, colleagues and the entire country.
Death causes shock, grief and anguish and it often makes emotions run high. That is why it is required of all of us to be calm during difficult times like this.
Just for the record, however, when the Kabaka flew to Germany in August, 2021, he did not fly by the Presidential jet, but by KLM Airlines. May God mercifully receive Jacob Oulanya’s soul.
We pray that He grants his children and members of his family strength and hope during this trying moment.