Was late Speaker Oulanyah a political threat of sorts?

He had a mind of switching political affiliation at will anytime without anyone questioning it. It was a private conviction, premised on individual strategic calculations. When he shifted from Uganda People’s Congress, UPC, he needed no consultations. It was a focus on where he wished to be—parliament and there he arrived, thanks to an NRM passage. From MP he successfully eyed and achieved Deputy Speakership, then Speakership and then???

Buoyed by two, No2 critical positions, despite them being less cash-oiled offices, (Deputy Speaker and Vice Chairman NRM, Northern Region), Oulanyah during the 2021 elections, maximised his mobilization prowess throughout the entire greater northern region that mesmerized everyone- comrade and foe. He alone became the sole reason that the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) lost its status of being leader of opposition in parliament and local governments. For the first time in so many elections, the ruling NRM swept the entire Northern region and had it been the other way around in favour of new entrants; the National Unity Platform (NUP), perhaps…perhaps, the political story scripts would read differently.

But politics is a ceaseless process. Before his death, Oulanyah had transcended beyond No2 to No1 in one of the critical offices. What was his exact mind about the remaining No1 office???

Nobert Mao, leader of the Democratic Party says, Oulanyah wished the presidency for him (Mao). Really??? Well, this suggests he didn’t mind the political affiliation of one occupying the No1 office in the land as long as it rhymed with his vision. But if Mao perceived himself as fitting the bidding, how about Oulanyah himself?

In the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections of 2021, Oulanyah had demonstrated superior voter approvals than Mao. This was watched by everyone, including NRM’s Tactical and Strategic Centre based in northern Uganda. So, for Oulanyah or Mao to tilt the country-wide voter scales in their favour, they couldn’t solely rely on the Northern region bloc alone. It is very insignificant. They, especially Oulanyah, had to consider, once again, to switch political loyalty at no prior consultations over the decision. The danger with consultations is that they often turn into back stabbers and at worst killers. Maybe, out of excitement as new Speaker he violated his own principle and consulted about the next critical office too early.

In order to scoop that remaining No1 office, Oulanyah had to be somewhat temporarily friends with NUP. The National Unity Platform routed NRM from Buganda and wrote a record for history. Oulanyah swept FDC from the Luo land and wrote another record. If these two forces allied what would it be politically?

History explains it. Going by majority of its leaders, at MP level, NUP is deeply grounded in the Central region, also called Buganda. Buganda and Luo land, (Lango, Acholi and West Nile) have a very long history of successful alliances. The very first traceable one was in 14^th century when they combined to dislodge the Chwezi dynasty that had reigned for centuries in the southern region. After the task the Luo returned north but left behind some print marks that are transcribed upon Buganda cultural institutions such as wankachithe gate way inside the Buganda King’s palace. The second most pronounced alliance came in the 20^th century (1962) between the leader of UPC Dr Apollo Milton Obote, a Luo-Langi and the Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II. This culminated into the historical first independence government—one in which Uganda had no foreign debt, needed no foreign aid and had surplus national reserves lasting beyond 12 months. It was the golden period in Uganda’s history!

So, when Hon Nobert Mao launches a one-man’s war against NUP, he doesn’t seem conscious that his tongue-missiles are oiled to shoot in the very direction of his best political prospects or which would be of his best friend, the late Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.

Such was the late Speaker of the 11^th Parliament of Uganda, politically.

By Daniel Latigo

Gulu City