Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya has expressed his dismay over the continuous death of Acholi people who occupy high-ranking positions in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

Speaking at Parliament, Olanya said the Government of Uganda must come up very clearly before burying Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and explain what is going on with the leaders, sons of Acholi.

Oulanyah died yesterday in Seattle, USA. His death was announced by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. On February 3, 2021, Oulanyah was flown to the US aboard a Chartered Uganda Airlines aircraft A330 to Seattle for expert medical attention after efforts by medics at Mulago National Referral paid no dividends.

Olanya said Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, Gen Paul Lokech, Gen Julius Facki Oketta, Col. Walter Ochora and many others died barely two years after assuming their offices.

Oulanyah died eight months after he was elected the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda. He defeated the Incumbent Kamuli Woman MP Rebecca Kadaga and Kira municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda. Since then, Oulanyah has been in and out of Hospitals over unrevealed health Complications.

Gen Lokech was appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) of the Uganda Police Force on 16 December 2020 and died on 21st August 2021. According to a post-mortem examination carried out by a team of pathologists, Lokech died of a blood clot which was carried into the lungs.

Major General Julius Facki Oketta died on 5 November 2016. Before his death, he was the Director of National Emergency Coordination and Operations in the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda.

Col. Walter Ochora died on March 3, 2011 at International Hospital Kampala. The cause of his death is still unknown. Ochora’s friends who were with him at Fairway Hotel said he was ok and was enjoying his whisky while chatting with them.

“Why is it that when you attain a position in this government and the only thing you must be eliminated, what is going on. What is unique with the people of Acholi in this government?” Olanya asked.

“We need an answer from the government of Uganda before burying Oulanyah. Right now as members from Acholi, we are retreating back to our villages. Government should tell us clearly if we are not worthy of holding any key position in this government so that we tell our sons to resign and go back,” he said.

Stories Continues after ad

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency together with 102 humanitarian and development partners are appealing for Shs 4.3 trillion (US$1.2 billion) to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance and protection to 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees and local communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda.

After nearly a decade of conflict and despite efforts toward implementing the peace agreement, South Sudan continues to grapple with sporadic violence, chronic food insecurity and the devastating impact of major flooding. The COVID-19 pandemic has also strained people’s resources, significantly reducing their ability to sustainably meet their needs.

Asylum countries are facing similar challenges from the climate crisis and the pandemic but have continued to keep their doors open for refugees. Funding is urgently needed to help these host countries to provide food, shelter, and access to essential services such as education and health care.

Governments in the five countries of asylum will be supported in their efforts to integrate South Sudanese refugees in national systems for social service delivery. Refugees and local communities will receive help to boost their resilience by identifying and diversifying opportunities to earn a living. This is vital against a backdrop of chronic underfunding for food provision, which continues to result in regular ration cuts.

Support to prevent and respond to gender-based violence as well as provide mental health and psychosocial support will also be scaled up. This follows a worrying rise in reports of depression over the last year, especially among refugees in Kenya and Uganda.

It remains a children’s crisis, with two out of three South Sudanese refugees under the age of 18. Funding is required for child protection including ensuring proper birth registration and family reunification. Many children who were affected by school closures during the pandemic need additional support.

To better protect the environment and to minimize the impacts of the climate crisis, UNHCR is increasing the use of clean energy and making other green investments.

The South Sudan refugee crisis remains the largest on the African continent. It was also one of the least funded in 2021 at only 21 per cent. Global solidarity and support for refugees must be extended to Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Sudan, who have generously welcomed South Sudanese refugees.

Stories Continues after ad