KAMPLALA – Legislators have begun the election of the 11th Parliamentary Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The function taking place at Kololo ceremonial grounds in being presided over by the Chief Justice, Alphonse Owiny-Dollo.
Three MPs including NRM’s Jacob Oulanyah and his rival Rebecca Kadaga (Independent) and FDC’s Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda have been nominated for the Speaker seat.
The Kamuli District woman MP Kadaga decided to run for the seat as independent despite losing party candidacy.
On Sunday, her party’s top organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) dropped her for her former Deputy Speaker Oulanyah as its candidate for the seat.
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.
On the other hand, RuhindaNorth MP Thomas Tayebwa has stepped down for Anita Among to take the deputy speaker position.
Tayebwa had announced to run independently after his Party- NRM chosing Among for the seat. He polled 149 votes to Among’s 168 votes.
Tayebwa reportedly reached the decision after a high level meeting brokered by party big wigs with President Museveni in attendance.
However, Tayebwa is yet to make an official communication on the matter.
