Oulanyah adjourns House to commiserate with Speaker

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, who presided over the House on Thursday, 3 March 2021, commiserated with the family of Speaker Rebecca Kadaga over the loss of her niece, Ms Sheila Alitwala Kadaga.

In his communication from the chair, Oulanyah said with the Speaker in grief, it is fair that Members comfort her and family.

“A highly emotional situation is happening in the home of the Rt. Hon Speaker; she has lost a niece; in solidarity with the Speaker and the family [therefore] we will not proceed,” he said.

He added: “Those of us who can make it to Kamuli, this would be the moment for all of us to go there and stand with the family.”

On the nature of business to be transacted, Oulanyah said priority will be given to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan to present her official critique of the Budget Framework Paper for the Financial Year 2021/22.

Oulanyah said the statement should have been presented immediately after the presentation of the Budget Framework Paper so that the views can be captured with the report that is forwarded to the President for formulation of the proposed expenditure for the Financial Year.

“The statement should have been presented earlier so that when the Budget Committee fully reports to Parliament, the view of the Leader of the Opposition is captured in the report,” he said.

Oulanyah thence ruled that going forward, the Leader of the Opposition’s statement on the Budget Framework Paper will be made at least 15 days after the presentation of the document by government.

MP Jonathan Odur (UPC, Erute South), who was holding forte for the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament welcomed the ruling, and said his side will oblige and attend House tomorrow to present their alternative to the Budget Framework Paper.

MPs Yorke Odria (IND, Aringa South) and Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu congratulated Oulanyah for his victory in last year’s race for the National Resistance Movement Vice Chairperson for Northern Region.

Oulanyah congratulated MPs who sailed through the cutthroat political races to make it back to Parliament, and counseled the unsuccessful ones to “keep focused and keep around”, and that there will be opportunities coming their way.

The Deputy Speaker adjourned the House to Thursday, 4 March 2021 at 11a.m.