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Kampala,Uganda:The race for Parliamentary Speakership heats up

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Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among Annet,

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among has stepped down her position and is set to be nominated for the position of the Speaker of Parliament at the National Resistance Movement electoral commission headquarters on Tuesday at 11:00am. Among, who has served as the Deputy Speaker for 9 months, resolved together with her team on Monday evening to take a swipe at the Speakership. Herbert Kinobero the National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus Vice Chairman, confirmed the development and said Among will be expressing her interest in the Speakership race as NRM Flag bearer. Kazo county Member of Parliament, Dan Kimosho, who is among the Among mobilizers, confirmed the development. “The young people wanted Oulanyah but unfortunately God has taken him,” said Kimosho. Adding: “The suitable alternative for (the departed) Jacob is now Among”. Kimosho noted that Among has for the last 9 months exhibited capabilities to handle the office of the Speaker. “She’s well steered the House for 9 months, gained experience and exhibited a uniting character,” he said. The date for the election of the new Speaker of Parliament to replace the departed Jacob Oulanyah, is set for Friday March 25, 2022. The National Resistance Movement party, which has the decisive majority, has set tomorrow Today for the expression of interest by its Members of Parliament. The NRM CEC is will convene on Wednesday to receive and vet names before sending them to the Caucus NRM will convene a  special sitting on Thursday.

The election on Friday will be conducted by the Chief Justice, Alfonso Owiny Dollo as per the constitutional requirement. Dollo on Sunday evening left Seattle, United States, where the former speaker died from on Sunday morning and is expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday early morning. The Constitution article 82 (4) says when the seat of the Speaker of Parliament fall vacant, the first business in the House is the election of the new Speaker. “No business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of the Speaker at any time that office is vacant.”

“The sitting of cabinet today at State House, Entebbe which was chaired by President Museveni took a decision that Parliament of Uganda shall convene on Friday, March 25, 2022 to fill the vacancy of a Speaker,” he said.

In an earlier statement, Government Chief Whip and NRM Parliamentary Caucus chairperson, Thomas Tayebwa, said he had been instructed by President Museveni who is the NRM chairman to call for a special caucus meeting on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 2pm at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to discuss the issue of Speaker of Parliament.

“All members are required to undertake a Covid-19 test. This procedure will take place on Tuesday 22nd March 2022, 9:00am- 4:00pm and Wednesday 23rd March, 2022, 9:00am – 12:00 noon, at Parliamentary Conference Hall. Only members who will have taken this test with the prescribed service provider at the Parliamentary Conference Hall will attend the caucus,” Mr Tayebwa said in a Monday afternoon statement.

The process is to ensure that a new Speaker presides over a Special sitting to eulogize the fallen predecessor, Jacob Oulanyah who died on Sunday 20th March, in Seattle, United States of America.

Article 82 (4) of the Constitution requires that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election of Speaker at any time that office is vacant.

The same requirement is under Rule 5 (4) of the Parliament Rules of Procedure.

Before the announcement of these dates, a section of MPs called for a speedy process to have a new Speaker elected so that he or she presides over a sitting of parliament to eulogize the late Oulanyah.

Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa noted that it is important to have a substantive Speaker of Parliament in place to receive the body of the fallen head of the institution.

Photo:The Insider

West Budama Central MP Jacob Oboth Oboth has reportedly resigned from his position as State Minister for Defence to contest for Parliament Speakership, a source has revealed.

He will pick nominations forms from NRM secretariat today.He was one of the contenders last year, when Jacob Oulanyah was picked Speaker and Anita Among Deputy, but withdrew.

                                                  Former Speaker Of Parliament Rt.Hon.Rebecca Kadaga.Credit:Twitter

The former Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga is tog to declare her interest to resume her coveted seat. We’ve learnt that a number of Members of Parliament converged at Kadaga’s home in Muyenga on Monday evening to decide on the position left vacant by the passing of Jacob Oulanyah. The meeting resolved that Kadaga, who steered Parliament for two terms, should go to the National Resistance Movement party electoral commission headquarters on Tuesday to declare her candidature. “Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga is best suited and with the desired experience to chair Parliament and provide leadership at this particular moment,” said a source who attended the meeting.

Former Speaker Of Parliament Rt.Hon.Rebecca Kadaga.Credit:Twitter

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