The Ministry of Finance has sent shs 1.2 billion to Parliamentary Commission for burial arrangements of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who will be laid to rest on Friday at his ancestral home in Acholi.
The development comes after a section of Acholi lawmakers protested delayed disbursement of funds asking local leaders to reject calls to contribute towards the funeral of Oulanyah.
The body of Oulanyah will today lie in Parliament as MPs pay tribute and tomorrow be taken to Kololo grounds where President Yoweri Museveni and other distinguished national leaders, religious heads, close friends and family will pay their last respect.
His remains will then be airlifted to his native home.
However, government had been processing money to facilitate this whole process to accord the fallen Speaker state burial.
Chris Obore, the director of communications at Parliament confirmed to this website that Ministry of Finance had released money as of Monday evening.
“I can now confirm that Finance Ministry has released shs1.2bn to Parliamentary Commission for burial arrangements of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. The Commission will work with NOC to ensure descent send off,” he said.
Obore added that Parliament had earlier managed the expenses for the vigil at both residents of the deceased in Muyenga and Omoro.
“Speaker Anita Among and Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige have marshaled all efforts to support the national organizing committee. Without additional funds , we are handling vigils both at Muyenga & Omoro.”
Reports earlier indicated that local leaders in Acholi Sub-region had been directed to contribute towards the burial of their tribemate.
Many wondered why, when government was managing all funeral costs.
The Ministry of Presidency a few days defended the decision to spend shs 2.5 billion on Oulanyah’s funeral , his status requires so.
Government would later cut the budget to shs 1.8 billion.
Whereas the Inspectorate of Government Betty Kamya said she would probe the expenditure, it remains unclear when Ministry of Finance will release the remaining shs 600 million.