Museveni eulogises ex-Speaker Oulanyah’s father as patriot, nation builder

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has paid tribute to Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo, describing him as a patriot whose legacy shaped Uganda’s development through generations of leadership in his family.

The tribute was delivered on the President's behalf by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among during a funeral service attended by a large congregation at Christ Church Urban Archdeaconry in Gulu city on March 30, 2026.

Mzee Okori, father of former Speaker Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah, died on March 20, 2026, at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu city at the age of 97 after respiratory complications.

Uganda's emeritus Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo Cigamoi laying a wreath on Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo's casket at Christ Church in Gulu City. (Photo by Dennis Ojwee)

“The country and the bereaved family has lost yet another great man, not only the family, but to the entire country. Mzee Okori played a big role in shaping the development and politics of the country. He has done so through his son, late Jacob Oulanyah and his grandson, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah and other educated children, grandsons and daughters,” said President Museveni in his short condolence speech.

The President added, “He [Mzee Okori] was a strong patriot in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and in the Church of Uganda. In his son, Oulanyah, he served with commitment and dedication. And I wish Hon. Ojok Oulanyah to continue carrying the legacy of both his father, Jacob Oulanyah and that of his grandfather, Mzee Okori.”

The President contributed sh20 million towards the burial expenses, which was handed over to the bereaved family through Omoro County MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among.

The eighth Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, the Rt Rev. Godfrey Loum, presided over the service, assisted by the vicar, Rev. Peter Oyat, and the curate, Rev. Allan.

Quoting from Psalm 27:13-14, the bishop said the Lord is the stronghold of his life and questioned whom he should fear.

“The grave is not the final destiny of a person, like Mzee Okori. His body goes to the grave, yes, but his life or soul has already gone back to the Lord God. So, even if we say we are in a celebration, it may be a celebration, but with a big loss not only to the bereaved family, but also to friends, relatives and the entire Country that is mourning his loss,” said the bishop.

The service ran from 10:00 am to 12:45 pm, after which the casket was taken for a brief homage at St Mark Church at Ajuri, constructed by the late Jacob Oulanyah near the family’s ancestral home at Lalogi, where burial is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Leaders pay tribute

Chief Justice Emeritus Owiny-Dollo described the late Mzee Okori as a true Acholi elder who lived an exemplary life.

“When I first met Mzee Okori through his fallen son and my dear friend, Jacob Oulanyah, I came to like and love him because I found his life was that of the real and true Acholi elder, who never accepted any dubious lifestyle. He was a frank elder, he loved education, and he educated his children well," Owiny-Dollo said.

"What I would like the elders in Acholi who are still there and all the Acholi people to emulate from Mzee Okori is to always speak or tell the truth. Love education and sending children to school. Okori educated his children and grandchildren well and are contributing to the national leadership and development of the country," he remarked.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, who described herself as a close member of the bereaved family, hailed Mzee Okori for educating his children to higher levels.

“I am here not only as the Speaker of Parliament, but as a ‘daughter’ to the bereaved family. I became too close to the family of Mzee Okori through the late Speaker Hon. Jacob Oulanyah up to the time he suddenly died, and I continued even after his death to fully support his family, including giving support to his father,” Among said.

Relatives laying a wreath on Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo's casket at Christ Church in Gulu City. (Photo by Dennis Ojwee)

“I continued to visit the family and Mzee Okori, who at one time gave me a white sheep that has, to date, given birth to 10 lambs. I also equally gave back with 10 cows and also sh10m from my own tree plantations,” Among added.

Pledge for Lalogi Health Centre upgrade

During the funeral service, Among pledged that under her mandate as Speaker of Parliament, she would ensure that Lalogi Health Centre IV is upgraded to district hospital status.

Her pledge followed an appeal by Mzee Okori’s son, Francis Joel Emuna, who asked that the facility be elevated to a district hospital, noting that it had played a key role in sustaining his father’s life whenever he fell ill, until he succumbed to a condition beyond its capacity.