Members of Parliament have impressed the public by showing up in large numbert o participate in the much anticipated Speaker elections.

The seat fell vacant when the former, Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah died after battling a long illness in Parliament.

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

The election of the Speaker is guided by Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure which requires that the Speaker shall be elected by MPs with voting rights in a plenary sitting that will be presided over by the Chief Justice or a Judge designated by the Chief Justice.

The ongoing ceremony is being presided over by the Chief Justice of Uganda Justice Owiny Dollo. Chief Justice,Dollo says the Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah died on the 19 March 2022 (American time) which was already 20 March 2022 in Uganda. He asked the House to raise for a moment of silence in honour of the former speaker

By the time of filing this report, the CJ Owiny Dollo revealed that 390 Mp’s out of 529 had already turned up to attend and actively participate in the elections.

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) representatives arealso present for the plenary sitting

 

Two candidates including Hon. Anita Among -Bukedea Woman MP, NRM  and  Asuman Basalirwa , JEEMA have been successfully nominated.

Among was nominated by the Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja and seconded by Hamson Obua, Ajuri County MP.

Nabbanja described Among as someone who has been tested , spearheaded programs through passing bills, led a people centered

On the other-hand Basalirwa who represents the opposition was nominated by the Leader of Opposition Hon Mathias Mpuuga and seconded by Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi. Mpuuga says his candidate is varstily  experienced in law.

Hon Jonathan Ebalu the Soroti East moved a motion to close the nomination process.

Both candidates accepted their nominations. Voting for Speaker is currently underway.

Compiled by Zainab Ali