NUP Tight-Lipped On Endorsing Speaker
The National Unity Platform has remained silent on who it will endorse for speaker of the 11th parliament that takes effect in May 2021.
NUP has the majority of opposition MP’s elected to the 11th parliament with over 58 members coming on the party ticket.
Speaking during a presser at the NUP headquarters in Kamwokya, Mathias Mpuuga the vice president of NUP central region said the party will decide at an appropriate time who to endorse to that position.
According to Mpuuga, a retreat for MPs to seat in the 11th parliament has been set for next week and a candidate will be endorsed.
Mpuuga further says they will not be compelled to support an NRM candidate because of the ongoing pressure, but in due course, the party will make a decision on an appropriate candidate.
”We shall generate consensus on how best our opinion shall form on who becomes speaker of parliament. We do not belong to NRM therefore we are not under any obligation or being compelled to support anyone other than one that the party shall determine. ”Mpuuga says .
NUP Tight-Lipped On Endorsing Speaker
The race for speaker is tight between 3 candidates including the incumbent Rebecca Kadaga,her deputy Jacob Oulanyah and Opposition chief whip Ssemujju Nganda.
All candidates have shown absolute confidence in winning the race .
However, Kadaga and Oulanyah still await a decision from National Resistance Movement -NRM, CEC to endorse one to the position.
The 2 parties have been at loggerheads with Kadaga accusing Oulanyah of chickening out of parliamentary business.
Oulanyah has hit back at Kadaga saying he is still awaiting NRM party to make calls for the expression of interest for the speakership job before he can take active engagement in the heated race.
NRM national chairman president Museveni has summoned both parties to the state house for a discussion over the same.
In 2016, CEC endorsed Kadaga to stand as a speaker for another 5 years and then hand over the mantle to Oulanyah
Meanwhile Ssemujju says he has written to all opposition parties to encourage their MPs to vote for him as the next speaker of parliament .
He is also hopeful that a section of NRM Mp’s will also vote for him because he has earned their trust and respect despite being an opposition member.
