Parliament cannot conduct any official business until legislators vote a new speaker into the August house.

According to rules of procedure, when the Speaker-ship seat falls vacant, Members of Parliament are required to vote a replacement in the next sitting.

Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 of this Constitution, “no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant”.

The election, under the circumstances, will be presided over by the Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice, until the new speaker takes an oath. Therefore, Members of Parliament are expected to seat on Tuesday, March 29, to elect the new speaker of Parliament.

However, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka thinks otherwise, he says the government will need to step back and adjust before an official communication is released.

“Let government first give a clear position on what we are going to do then I can respond to those questions of the process of replacing a Speaker who has died in office.I know what the law is but let’s be sensitive to the feelings of the family,”Kiryowa says

Oulanyah had only served as Speaker for nine months and 24 days since his election and swearing-in on  May 24, 2021.

He has been on and off due to ill health and rarely seen at Parliament. He conducted parliament business in the months of June, August, September, October and November last year.

The new speaker is expected to preside over the session to eulogise his predecessor scheduled to take place on April 02, 2022.

Ugandans are witnessing for the first time the death and procedures leading to the burial of a Speaker of Parliament in office.

Oulanyah is the first speaker of parliament in Uganda to die in office (former Speakers James Wapakhabulo and Francis Ayume died after they had left office)

Oulanyah also Omoro County Legislator, was pronounced dead on Sunday at 1:07 pm by the President, Yoweri Museveni via his social media platforms. He mentioned that the announcement was delayed.