KAMPALA – Kamuli District woman MP Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has revealed that she will go ahead and contest as independent for the 11th parliament speakership race despite losing party candidacy.
This was after her party’s top organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) selected her former Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah as its candidate for the seat.
Kadaga who has headed the House for two terms lost majority vote in CEC meeting held at State House Entebbe on Sunday morning.
However, speaking to the press after losing the selection, she has noticed that she is not ready to bow out of the race.
“Fellow Ugandans, I have come to inform the people of Uganda that my party has opted not to give me the party flag for Speaker of Parliament. I have therefore decided to run as an independent,” said Kadaga.
According to her, there has been many attempts to eject her from the party leadership.
“During the CEC elections last year there was tremendous State interference and intimidation but I won the contest of CEC national vice chair,” she said.
“Today I was not given an opportunity to present myself to the electorates and the major reason I have been pushed out is because of speaking on the issues of the ordinary people. I want to tell you that I will continue speaking on those issues.”
She said, “Despite the constitutional provisions, the position of the women has been relegated. I want to stand up for the rights of those who are still marginalized. I’m appealing to the people of Uganda to ask their representatives in parliament to do the needful.”
The election of the Speaker is scheduled for Monday next week at Kololo airstrip.
Over 300 MPs including the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Gen. Moses Ali had declared support for Kadaga before the party decision.
