Jacob Oulanyah

Oulanyah Jacob L'Okori is a Ugandan politician, agricultural economist, and lawyer. He has been the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda since 19 May 2011.^[1] Oulanyah is also the member of parliament representing the Omoro County constituency, Gulu District, Acholi sub-region, in the Northern Region.^[2]

Background and education

He was born in Gulu District on 23 March 1965. He attended St. Joseph College Layibi, Dr. Obote College Boroboro, and Kololo Senior Secondary School for his O-Level and A-Level education. In 1988, he joined Makerere University, the oldest university in the East African Community, where he studied economics. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in agriculture economics. That same year, he entered law school, also at Makerere University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. He served as speaker of the university students' guild during his stay at Makerere. In 1995, he attended the Law Development Centre (LDC), where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in legal practice.^[1][2]

Career

Following his graduation from the LDC, Oulanyah worked as a lecturer at the centre. During the same timeframe, he began private law practice at the law firm of Oulanyah, Onoria & Company Advocates. In 2001, he entered politics by successfully contesting for the parliamentary seat of Omoro County in Gulu District on the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) ticket. In 2005, he chaired the parliamentary legal committee that recommended the constitutional amendments lifting the presidential term limits. He also participated in the peace talks between the government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army rebels. In 2006, standing as a UPC candidate, he lost his re-election bid. In July 2006, he quit the UPC and joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). In 2008 he served as the chairman of the commission of inquiry into the controversial sub-lease of Kisekka Market, one of the municipal markets in the city of Kampala. In March 2011, Oulanyah was elected to represent Omoro County, Gulu District, in the Ninth Parliament, this time on the NRM ticket. He was elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2011.^[1][2]

Following the February 2016 general election, Oulanyah was re-elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2016. In the vote, conducted by secret ballot, he received 300 votes, while Mohammed Nsereko received 115.^[3]

Parliamentary duties

Besides his duties as Deputy Speaker of Parliament, he sits on the following parliamentary committees:^[2]

• Appointments Committee - The Committee reviews all Cabinet appointments by the President and may approve or reject an appointment: The Deputy Speaker is a member of that committee.

References