Children who lived under the care of the late Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah have described him as a father who showed them the true meaning of life.
Oulanyah died in Seattle, USA on March 20, 2022, where he was rushed in February in critical condition. The government repatriated his body on Friday.
The body is currently at his home Muyenga where mourners have converged for a vigil.
Addressing mourners on Sunday afternoon, the State Minister for Economic Planning, Peter Ogwang, said that the late Speaker sponsored 101 children.
Some of the children are students at Seroma Christian High School in Mukono District.
Prossy Kaka, a senior 3 student is one of the children enrolled by the late speaker at Seroma Christian School.
While paying her last tribute to Oulanyah, Kaka described him as a father and mentor who showed her the way of life.
She said that the news of Oulanyah’s passing came as a big nightmare she wished to wake up from immediately.
She says Oulanyah always encouraged them to be faithful and have hope for the future. She appealed to the government and specifically the speaker of parliament to help them continue with their education.
Ronald Ochakchion Lee is a senior five student offering Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at Seroma Christian School.
He is one of the students enrolled by the late speaker at school. He says that after completing his primary education, he was uncertain of the next step until Oulanyah offered him a chance to study at Seroma.
Aida Adiak, another student says that he lost his father while in Primary five but is glad he got the late Oulanyah for a dad.
Other children who the fallen speaker helped also paid respect to him and prayed for the family to keep strong during this trying moment.
Jacob Wilson Ogwang, a team at Seroma school also praised Oulanyah for helping the children and giving them a future.
He described Oulanyah as a true legend with a heart that always longed to see the young children raise.
The Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny Dolo says that they have set up the Jacob Oulanyah Education Trust Fund under his leadership.
The fund, he says will ensure that Oulanyah’s children attain an education they had and desired when their father lived.
He urged friends and Well-wishers of Oulanyah to contribute to the fund.
Oulanyah’s body will lay in state in parliament on April 5th, 2022 for members of parliament to their last respect. It will be taken to Kololo Ceremonial grounds on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 for a State Funeral before his casket is airlifted to his ancestral home in Lalogi in Omoro district for members of the public to pay their final respect the following day on Thursday 7th April.
He will be laid to rest on Friday 8th April 2022, which will be observed as a public holiday.