Words fail me. Tears well in my eyes. Nevertheless, I thank God that some of us were able to see our brother, the Speaker, alive before he slipped away.
The truth stared us in the face but we clung to a threadbare hope. But what is hope if it is not pitted against overwhelming odds?
A harp with all but one string broken yet we dared to pluck that one lone string to make music.
This tragic news will be received differently by different people. That is of no concern to our departed brother whose suffering and death has put a mirror before us, forcing us, as a country, to see ourselves as we really are.
Rather, it is for us to confront the things that divide us because a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Uganda can still be the Promised Land it is meant to be. But we meander in the Sinai Desert of hatred fueled by despair.
Yet beyond the horizon lies Canaan! It is my prayer that our brother’s death may plant a new seed of hope that will overcome the despair that makes us turn on each other rather than to each other.
Amidst all the sorrow, confusion and cynicism we have a choice between validating conspiracy theories or celebrating a life of significance. There is a place and a time for weighing conspiracy theories. For now let us celebrate a life lived with uncommon courage and conviction.
Fare thee well Mr. Speaker, The Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah L’okori. I salute you,
Norbert Mao
DP President