Nathan Okori, father of the late former Speaker of Parliament Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, has passed away at the age of 97. The announcement was made on Friday by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao.
“This is uncanny! On the fourth anniversary of the death of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, we have lost his father, Mzee Nathan Okori,” Mao said. “I have just received the sad news from his family that he was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor two days ago due to respiratory complications and has since passed away. Sad!”
Mzee Okori’s death comes exactly four years after that of his son, Jacob Oulanyah, who passed away on March 20, 2022, in the United States while receiving specialized medical treatment, just three days shy of his 57th birthday.
Jacob Oulanyah was a respected lawyer, agricultural economist, and seasoned politician. He served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament for ten years before being elected Speaker in May 2021, defeating Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga in a tightly contested race. His tenure as Speaker was brief, as declining health forced him to step back from office.
Throughout his career, Oulanyah represented Omoro County and was widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders from the Acholi Sub-region. His leadership in Parliament and contributions to national politics earned him recognition across Uganda, particularly in Northern Uganda, where he remained a prominent and respected figure.
