Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah is not fighting for his life contrary to media reports which alleged he was rushed to Dubai Hospital in critical condition last week.
The Speaker’s absence from the public since June sparked off speculation that he was battling Coronavirus and had been flown to UK for urgent medical treatment.
But Parliament refuted these allegations insisting that, Oulanyah had been away on leave and would resume duty in August.
His deputy, Hon Anita Among recently explained to anxious MPs that the duo agreed to preside over the House for two months, and Oulanyah would return after her time elapses.
This website can authoritatively report that Oulanyah is healthy and in high spirit while continues to cool off at his residence in Muyenga, an upscale Kampala suburb.
A relative who wished to remain unnamed explained the Speaker’s long absence saying, since last year he has been engaged in rigorous political campaigns having contested as NRM CEC vice chairman for Northern Region, Oulanyah had not gotten time for himself and family.
“It has been hectic period of long campaigns. He contested for NRM vice chairman, he contested as MP and later as Speaker. He also had to mobilise support for his party candidate. He has been busy. He needed time to cool off,” said a relative.
The Speaker has used the two months’ sabbatical to mingle with his children but also plan for his new office on how to deliver a stellar job as Speaker of the 11th Parliament.
As of Sunday (yesterday), Mr Oulanyah was pictured relaxing in his compound attending to phone calls, taking tea and reading some documents.
This brings to end endless theories suggesting that the Speaker was unhealthy and receiving treatment abroad.
Mr Oulanyah has previously served Parliament as deputy Speaker for 10 years. However, for all those years, he was unable to fully showcase his leadership capabilities considering that his predecessor Rebecca Kadaga had intentionally suffocated him, since he was perceived as a threat to her grip for power.
Unlike Kadaga. Oulanyah has already allowed his deputy- Among ample time to steer the August House.