The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah has urged parliamentarians to always pray for the sick, but not to declare them dead.
Oulanyah made these remarks after he had made his return to Parliament this morning after a month of absence, since he has been in the United Kingdom, from where he returned last week, in what Parliament says he had gone to visit his son there.
Oulanyah last presided over Parliament at the reading of the 2021/2022 financial year Budget at Kololo Independence Grounds shortly after his election as Speaker of Parliament.
Oulanyah was welcomed by the Deputy Speaker, Anitah Annet Among and other legislators.
The Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga also welcomed Oulanyah back, saying they cannot wait to work with him.
In his first speech, Oulanyah sparked laughter when he pointed to one of the guests at the meeting, an economist Professor Augustus Nuwagaba whom he said does not grow old and was looking as young as his son. He went on to mention some of his friends among the opposition MPs.
Oulanyah said he made it a case to attend the meeting and face Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu and Kilak North MP Gilbert Olanya who were demanding for his whereabouts, yet for the last one year, when he didn’t chair the house, none of them ever asked.
Oulanyah also said that the country was losing humanity, and sick people are being declared dead instead of being supported to recover. He says if indeed someone is truly sick, the right thing is to pray. He however did not say if he was sick or not.
Oulanyah added that the time has come for parliament to move from the rhetoric of words to action, and start moving and working together, adopting the use of ‘we, and not I,’ forgetting party colours and symbols for the good of the people of Uganda.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said that they expect the business of the house to resume fully since all the Speakers are now available.
