Fire in Parliament

A total of 102 fuming Members of Parliament hailing from the North and West Nile sub regions have vowed to boycott the elections for Speaker, slated for this Friday.

The MP’s from Acholi, Lango, and West Nile sub-regions Northern Uganda want the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) CEC, to endorse a candidate from their region to replace the deceased Speaker Oulanyah.

The Central Executive Committee of the NRM chaired by President Yoweri Museveni is sitting today to endorse eligible candidates for the hot slot after twelve candidates were nominated on Tuesday by the Party’s electoral commission.

After which, depending on how many candidates have been endorsed, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus will seat on Thursday to front a single flag bearer.

However, fuming Mp’s say the process will only be transparent and fair if CEC, decides to endorse one of them to replace the late Oulanyah.

MPs from the Northern region who have so far expressed interest in contesting include; John Amos Okot (Agago North County), Lee Jackson Alima Guti (Arua City Central Division), Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo North).  Dr. Ruth Jane Aceng (Lira City Woman Representative) withdrew from the race on Wednesday

Denis Hamson Obua, the Ajuri County MP one of the contestants says the Speaker was allocated based on the performance of the party and regional balance

“Oulanyah was deployed to serve for five years, northern Uganda demonstrated its aspirations, interests and wishes when it overwhelmingly supported the NRM and we believe that as part of balancing the boat, the north must continue with its agenda based on the fact that the party takes this decision.” he said

Three Parliamentary groups from Northern Uganda sat and unanimously endorsed all persons who have expressed interest from the Acholi, Lango, and West Nile sub-regions.

Fire in Parliament

“If CEC fails to select any candidate from among them, the 102 members shall not turn up for the elections of the speaker on Friday, March 25th, 2022. We shall instead congregate at the Rt Hon Speaker Jacob Oulanyah’s residence to continue to console with the family and mourn with our brothers and sisters from the three sub-regions”, said the bloc resolution.

The MPs from the three regions also called an urgent meeting with the National Organising Committee (NOC) on Wednesday to address concerns relating to burial activities, programs, and budgets.