The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo, father of the late former Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah.
In an official statement shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Among conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and the broader parliamentary community.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform our esteemed colleagues, the Parliament fraternity, and all who loved our brother, the late Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah, that his father, Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo, has passed away at the age of 97 at St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor,” she wrote.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family and all his loved ones. We will share the funeral arrangements after consulting with the family.”
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, described the loss as “very sad indeed.”
Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 97, after reportedly battling respiratory complications.
According to the Minister of Justice, Norbert Mao, the deceased had been admitted to St Mary’s Hospital Lacor two days prior, where his condition deteriorated.
In a striking coincidence, Minister Mao noted that Mzee Okori’s death occurred exactly four years after the passing of his son, Jacob Oulanyah.
Mzee Okori first became a figure of national attention in April 2022 during the burial of his son in Omoro District.
At the time, he publicly disputed the official cause of Jacob Oulanyah’s death, alleging that his son had been poisoned—a claim that sparked widespread discussion but was never conclusively substantiated.
Jacob Oulanyah died on March 20, 2022, at the age of 56 while receiving treatment at a hospital in Seattle, United States. His death was announced by President Yoweri Museveni, who described him as a “good cadre” and a promising national leader.
“Oulanyah was young but had already made impact. Losing him at this time is a big loss because he was coming up and the country was going to benefit from him,” President Museveni said during the state funeral held at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Born in 1965 in Omoro District, Jacob Oulanyah was a trained lawyer who rose through the political ranks to become one of Uganda’s most influential legislators.
He served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2016 to 2021 before being elected Speaker in May 2021, narrowly defeating Rebecca Kadaga.
His tenure as Speaker was short-lived due to declining health, with government officials later indicating that his illness dated back to 2019 and ultimately resulted in multiple organ failure.
Following his death, Parliament elected Anita Among as Speaker, ensuring continuity in the legislative arm of government.
Four years on, Jacob Oulanyah’s legacy continues to resonate across Uganda’s political landscape. He is remembered for his legal acumen, sharp wit, and ability to navigate complex parliamentary debates with skill and authority.
Funeral arrangements for Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo are expected to be announced in due course.
