ICT and National Guidance Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has made it clear that Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah was neither poisoned nor was did he fall sick after defeating Rebecca Kadaga in the May 2021 election.
On March 20, President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni announced that Speaker Oulanyah has died. (Read Story Here).
A few days later, the late speaker’s father Nathan Okori said his son Oulanyah was poisoned. (Read Story Here).
Even the Paramount Chief of Acholi, where Oulanyah comes from, claimed the speaker could have been poisoned and demanded answers from government.
The Acholi Paramount Chief wondered why all powerful politicians from the region die after being elevated to higher positions. (Read Story Here).
But according to Baryomunsi, Oulanyah died of cancer. (Read Story Here).
Speaking during NBS TV Thursday night’s Frontline show, the minister dismissed reports claiming that Oulanyah had fallen sick as soon as he beat Kadaga in the speaker race held in May 2021.
The ruling NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) had rejected Kadaga but the Kamuli Woman MP defied the top organ and stood as an independent. She lost the election. (Read Story Here).
But contrary to the argument that Oulanyah’s troubles began with his victory over Kadaga, Baryomunsi says the Omoro County MP was sick long before he was elected to the third most important position in the land.
Baryomunsi’s statement has been corroborated by Henry Okello Oryem, the minister of state for international affairs, who said Oulanyah had been sick but has been hiding his sickness because he didn’t want to bother or burden anyone.