On March 20, 2026, the nation of Uganda has been struck with grief again as Mzee Nathan Okori, the father of the late Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, passed away at the age of 97. What makes this loss even more poignant is that Mzee Okori died on the exact same date that his son, Jacob Oulanyah, tragically passed away four years earlier. Jacob Oulanyah, a beloved national leader, died on March 20, 2022, in Seattle, Washington, where he was receiving specialized medical care at the age of 56. This uncanny coincidence has left many Ugandans deeply reflective about the powerful bond between father and son, both of whom have left a lasting legacy in the country.
Mzee Nathan Okori’s death occurred at Lacor Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for respiratory complications. His passing was confirmed by Uganda’s Justice Minister, Norbert Mao, who shared the sad news on his X-Account. Mao described the event as “uncanny” as it occurred exactly on the fourth anniversary of Oulanyah’s death. Mzee Okori’s family had rushed him to Lacor just days before, after he began experiencing serious health issues. Despite the doctors’ efforts, he passed away peacefully.
Uganda has been mourning the loss of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah for four years, and today, the pain has been rekindled with the death of his father. In a moving tribute, Speaker Rt Hon. Anita Among expressed her condolences and paid her respects to Mzee Okori, describing him as a man who nurtured and raised a leader Uganda continues to mourn. “Mzee Okori was a pillar, not only to his family but also to the country. His son, Jacob, followed in his footsteps of leadership, and now both father and son are gone,” said Among.
The loss of Mzee Nathan Okori marks the end of an era for the Oulanyah family and for many Ugandans who admired the legacy of both father and son. This tragic event has once again united the nation in reflection, as citizens remember the contributions and sacrifices made by Jacob Oulanyah, whose untimely passing left a vacuum in Uganda’s political landscape. Today, as Mzee Okori joins his son in the afterlife, Uganda mourns not just a father and a leader, but a family whose love and dedication to the country were deeply felt by all.
As the country reflects on this remarkable and somber coincidence, the memory of Mzee Nathan Okori will remain as a reminder of the importance of family, legacy, and leadership. Both his life and that of his son will continue to inspire future generations of Ugandans.
