Parliament is set to elect the next Speaker of Parliament on Friday March 25, to replace the fallen incumbent Jacob Oulanyah.
Oulanyah , also Omoro County legislator and Vice-Chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM party for Northern Uganda died in office after serving only nine months and 24 days since his election and swearing-in on May 24, 2021.
He has been on and off due to ill health and rarely seen at Parliament. He conducted parliament business in the months of June, August, September, October and November last year.
Article 82(4) of the Constitution, and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament bar any business in the House other than the election of Speaker when the position falls vacant.
The election will be presided over by the Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice, until the new speaker takes an oath.
Following this development, several legislators within the ruling National Resistance Movement Party (NRM) are eyeing the hot seat.
Among them include the Minister of State for Defence, Jacob Oboth Oboth, Deputy Speaker Anita Among who has confirmed that he will contest for the speaker- ship of the 11th Parliament. Others include Hamson Obua (Ajuri County), Hillary Onek (Lamwo County), Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri), Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo County), Thomas Tayebwa (Ruhinda North County) in Mitooma District who is also the Government Chief Whip, and Fox Odoi (Budama West North).
The NRM MPs vying for the position must first pick nomination forms from the party headquarters before the end of today (March 22).
The party’s top organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) chaired by President Yoweri Museveni will convene on Wednesday to discuss the names of candidates and make endorsements.
Hon Among will be expected to resign her current position as Deputy Speaker once her Party endorses her to tussle it out with other legislators. Similarly, Minister Oboth will resign from cabinet once endorsed.
The new speaker will then preside over the session to eulogize his predecessor who died on Sunday from a hospital in Seattle, Washington.
Information minister Chris Baryomunsi told the media Monday afternoon that political parties can start their internal processes to select their candidates who will contest for the speakership.
Oulanyah is the first speaker of parliament in Uganda to die in office (former Speakers James Wapakhabulo and Francis Ayume died after they had left office)
