Same Day , Same Time!! Jacob Oulanyah’s Father Dies After 4 Years On Same Date

The father of Uganda’s former Speaker of Parliament, the late Jacob Oulanyah, has died at the age of 97, family members and government officials confirmed on Friday, in a development that has stirred national reflection due to its timing.

Mzee Nathan Okori passed away on March 20, 2026, at St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor in northern Uganda, where he had been receiving treatment for respiratory complications.

His death falls exactly four years to the day since the passing of his son, an occurrence that senior officials described as both “uncanny” and deeply emotional for the country.

The announcement was first made public by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“This is uncanny! On the fourth anniversary of the death of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah we have lost his father Mzee Nathan Okori!” Mao wrote.

“I have just got the sad news from his family that two days ago he was rushed to Lacor with respiratory complications and today he died. Sad!”

According to Mao, Okori had been admitted to the hospital after developing breathing difficulties and died while undergoing treatment.

Uganda’s parliamentary leadership also paid tribute, with Speaker Anita Among issuing a formal statement mourning the elder statesman and extending condolences to the bereaved family.

“It is with a heavy heart that i inform our esteemed colleagues, the Parliament fraternity, and all who loved our brother, the late Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah, that his father, Mzee Nathan Okori Adiyo, has passed away at the age of 97 at St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor,” she said.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family and all his loved ones. We will share the funeral arrangements after consulting with the family.”

The death of Mzee Okori has revived memories of the loss of his son, a prominent figure in Uganda’s legislative history. Oulanyah died on March 20, 2022, at the age of 56 in Seattle, Washington, in the United States, where he had been undergoing specialized medical treatment.

His death was officially announced by President Yoweri Museveni on the same date.

Oulanyah had served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament for a decade before rising to the position of Speaker in 2021, a role he held for less than a year prior to his death. His passing marked a significant moment for Uganda’s political landscape, with tributes pouring in from across the region and beyond.

The coincidence of both father and son dying on March 20—four years apart—has added a poignant layer to the family’s story, resonating widely among Ugandans who continue to remember Oulanyah’s contributions to public service.

Family sources indicated that Mzee Okori had in the past expressed strong views regarding the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, at one point claiming that Oulanyah had been poisoned. However, no official findings publicly substantiated those claims.

As news of Okori’s passing spread, messages of condolence continued to emerge from political leaders, colleagues, and members of the public, many reflecting on the legacy of both father and son.

The elder Okori is remembered not only for his longevity but also for raising a leader who played a central role in Uganda’s governance.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in consultation with the family in the coming days, according to parliamentary authorities.