Among seeks to replace former boss
Rumours that Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is vying for the Speaker position have been confirmed.
Among on Tuesday morning sent her personal visitant Mary Athiela with paperwork expressing interest in replacing her fallen predecessor Jacob Oulanyah. According to her personal assistant Athiela, Among failed to present her paperwork in person because of medical reasons.
After carefully scrutinizing the papers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral commission EC boss Tanga Odoi duly accepted Among’s expression and officially declared her a candidate in the race for Speaker.
Hon Among will now be expected to resign her current position as Deputy Speaker once her Party endorses her to tussle it out with other legislators.
Another Candidate who has expressed interest in the race is Jackson Kafuzi , the Deputy Attorney general who expressed interest in the position ion Tuesday at 12:00 pm.
Minister of State for Defence, Jacob Oboth Oboth has confirmed that he will pick expression of interest forms to contest for the speaker- ship of the 11th Parliament.
Among seeks to replace former boss
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 Parliamentary Caucus will then sit on Thursday to endorse a candidate for the position before an election by Parliament.
“I have been instructed by His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and National Chairman of the NRM Party to call a special caucus meeting on Thursday 24th March 2022 at Kololo Ceremonial grounds to discuss the issue of Speaker of Parliament,” reads part of a notice to NRM MPs issued by Government Chief Whip, Thomas Tayebwa.
According to rules of procedure, when the Speaker-ship seat falls vacant, Members of Parliament are required to vote a replacement in the next sitting.
Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 of this Constitution, “no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant”.
The election, under the circumstances, will be presided over by the Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice, until the new speaker takes an oath. Therefore, Members of Parliament are expected to seat on Tuesday, March 29, to elect the new speaker of Parliament.
