Deceased Jacob Oulanya's father, Okori, to be buried Wednesday

OMORO - Omoro elder, Nathan Okori Adiyo, who died on Saturday aged 79, will be buried in a grave constructed next to the tomb of his son Jacob Oulanyah, the former Speaker of Parliament.

Francis Emuna, the bereaved son and his nephew, MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the Member of Parliament for Omoro Constituency, confirmed that funeral arrangements have been finalised.

The Funeral service will be conducted by the Anglican Church on Monday, March 30, at Christ Church Urban Archdeaconry in Gulu City. Thereafter, there will be a vigil at the deceased's home at Lalogi in Omoro.

Burial is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st, at the ancestral graveyard, located in the same compound, preceded by an Anglican-led funeral service.

At the Omoro district Council, some local political leaders have proposed a special session to honour Okori.

“At the time of filing this story (Wednesday), no decision had been taken. This was just a proposal yet to be confirmed by both the Omoro district council and the family,” said Ojok Oulanyah.  

Meanwhile, MP Ojok revealed that the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, has pledged to meet some of the expenses at Mzee Okori's funeral.

He declined to give details, saying that the family will get final communication later this week.

Ojok also revealed that the protocol team at her office confirmed that Speaker Among will attend the burial in Omoro.

Okori the Patriarch

Emuna described his father (Okori) as a distinct parent whose engagement was "straight talk" not only to his children, but to the entire circle of friends and the Clan at large. 

“Mzee Okori was a father and a reputable elder, well known for his frankness, truth-teller to everyone he would meet and talk to. He was a very strong leader who supported the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and was an advisor and a role-model elder to most young and old leaders, whom many politicians consulted for advice and guidance in their leadership careers,” Emuna added.

“We (the family) have lost a distinctive, honest, jolly and lovely father and the clan pillar in Omoro and Acoli region.

I pray to God that his departure leaves a profound legacy in us (the bereaved family), the clan and the whole leadership in Omoro and Acholi at large as we look forward to accord him a decent burial”, Emuna added.

Eulogies

The Catholic bishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese, Dr. John Baptist Odama, who is away in the Ivory Coast in his condolences to the bereaved family, described the late Mzee Okori as a principal man, father and an elder known for the truthfulness of his words. 

Dr. Odama added that: “He (Mzee Okori) loved peace and harmony. He would brave all the odds and speak up his mind without fear or favour to help shape the society and the community,” said Odama.

For Bar-Dege/Layibi (Gulu West) MP, Martine Ojara Mapenduzi, the deceased was “A very tough elder and leader and a straight-talker and a jolly man to everyone. Mzee Okori was a strong disciplinarian and a ‘no-nonsense man’ feared by people who loved nonsense.”

Ojara recalled that in 2011, Mzee Okori guided and encouraged him to work hard, together with Hon. Jacob Oulanyah (RIP), during the 2011 elections.

Andrew Okot Obibi, the chairperson LC5-elect for Omoro district, described the late Mzee Okori as a liberal man who loved people irrespective of their political or religious affiliations.

“Mzee Okiri inspired and asked me to join politics. I first met him during a meeting at Opit Secondary School, Opit Town Council in Omoro district. At first, I feared him because he looked a tough man, but when I took up his advice, I'm now the LC5 elect for Omoro district,” said Okot. 

Mzee Okori breathed his last on  Friday, three days after he was rushed to St. Mary’s  Lacor Hospital with respiratory complications.

His death on March 20, 2026, occurred four years after the passing of his son, Jacob L'Okori Oulanyah, the former Speaker of Parliament, who died on March 20, 2022, in Washington, United States of America.