Leading Ugandan tabloid Daily Pepper has claimed that Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, is admitted in a hospital in Dubai.
Oulanyah replaced his hitherto boss Rebecca Kadaga as speaker in a heated May 2021 election.
He is now head of the legislative arm of government.
But Oulanyah, also the Omoro County MP, has not appeared in public for weeks, sparking speculation on his health condition.
Daily Pepper previously claimed Oulanyah was admitted in Nairobi and later in the UK.
Parliament dismissed reports that the speaker was admitted in critical condition. (See: Jacob Oulanyah health: Ruthless Chris Obore attacks ‘his enemy’ Kadaga).
Deputy Speaker Anita Annet Among said she and her boss were taking turns chairing the House. (See: Speaker Jacob Oulanyah set to return to Parliament in August).
But calls on the speaker to appear in public have persisted.
On July 21, at least two MPs demanded an explanation on Oulanyah’s whereabouts and ‘fate.’ (See: JACOB OULANYAH HEALTH CONCERNS: MPs Pile More Pressure on Speaker to appear in public).
Hours later, the tabloid led with a story claiming Oulanyah’s condition was now ‘serious.’
‘OULANYAH ADMITTED OF DUBAI,’ shouted the Daily Pepper headline. ‘Speaker’s Daughter Rushes to Emirates Hospital After Situation Gets Serious.’
This publication couldn’t independently verify these claims.
