16 MPs Show Interest In Replacing Jacob Oulanyah As Speaker

A total of 16 Members of Parliament have shown interest in replacing Jacob Oulanyah as the speaker of the 11th parliament.

On Monday, the ruling NRM party electoral commission asked interested party members to present themselves for nomination.

On Tuesday 13 NRM MPs picked nomination forms having expressed interest.

Deputy Speaker, Anita Among was among the first ones to pick nomination forms but she delegated her personal assistant identified as Mary Athieno to pick nomination forms on her behalf from the NRM electoral commission headquarters in Kampala.

The State Minister for Defence, Jacob Oboth Oboth who also doubles as the West Budama South MP also picked nomination forms to enable him stand in the speakership race.

“This is about being able to continue with the good works and the principles that Rt Hon Oulanyah stood for. This is Oulanyah’s term and must come to the end . This race is going to be about money against integrity,” Oboth Oboth told journalists after nomination.

The Kyaka South County Constituency in  Kyegegwa District Jackson Kafuuzi who also doubles as the deputy Attorney General expressed in taking over affairs of the August House.

“I would want to add that we heal the wounds we have as Members of Parliament . The differences should be put aside but also the integrity of Parliament should come back,”Kafuuzi said.

The Dokolo South County MP, Felix Okot Ogong identified himself as a man of truth who is capable of steering the affairs of the August House.

“I believe in fairness, freedom and excellency. We need to transform this parliament and take it to a higher ground,” he said.

Theodore Ssekikubo, an NRM is a product of rebellion and no body can claim to be a saint. Everyone has belonged to other parties including those who have been praised. Internal contradictions can be there but i have always stayed in my house, the NRM.

Jackson Atima Lee, The Arua Central Division MP described himself as the best candidate to fill late Oulanyah’s shoes.

“In parliament I was so keen how parliamentary business is conducted specifically when Oulanyah was steering parliament. I feel i have capacity to drive parliament in a pro-people direction. Parliament needs a research-based debate and it is me to do that. Coming from that background, I feel I am fit to fulfill his(Oulanyah) vision and plans that he wanted for this country. I can ably fill his shoes since I was close to him,” Atima said.

Others who expressed interest within the NRM included Lira City Woman MP who also doubles as the Health Minister Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng, Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi, State Minister for Sports Hamson Obua, Alex Kintu Brandon(Kagoma North legislator), Florence Asiimwe Akiiki(Masindi district Woman MP), Okot John Amos and Pius Wakabi.

The NRM MPs will now wait for the outcome of the party top organ,  Central Executive Committee to decide on which names to stay in the race.

The names will then be subjected to a vote during the party parliamentary caucus on Thursday to get the party flagbearer ahead of the election by MPs on Friday.

Others

The race to replace deceased Jacob Oulanyah has also attracted three opposition Members of Parliament including Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Asuman Basaalirwa and Shamim Malende, the Kampala Woman MP.

Lee Ray

Lee Ray is a qualified journalist dedicated to inform and update you with News, Gossip, Entertainment, Showbiz and Music!