Former ethics and integrity minister James Nsaba Buturo and scores of MPs have asked Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to stand for president.

On Wednesday, the MPs praised Kadaga for “defeating LGBT agenda at a recent ‘Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting.

Kadaga led a delegation of MPs at an IPU assembly in Geneva from 14 to 18 October, 2018 in a spirited call for a ban on the debate on the subject of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) on the union’s agendas.

Nsaba Buturo, also the Bufumbira East MP in Kisoro district, moved a motion to honor Kadaga’s fight against homosexuality.

“This is not the first time that you have engaged in battles on an international stage on behalf of Uganda. This time you have engaged in this battle and emerged victorious,” Nsaba Buturo praised Kadaga.

The former minister’s praises of Kadaga set the stage for some MPs to ask the speaker to challenge Museveni in a presidential election in 2021.

Without mincing his words, Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya said Kadaga had been sent by God to liberate Uganda.

“I appreciate you for always being bold to the people of Uganda. God has brought you at the right time and you are the kind of leader that is wanted in this country,” said Olanya.

“Looking at the time you have taken in parliament and now that you are speaker, I pray you must be president of Uganda. The way you defended the people of Uganda outside the country, you should do the same in the country and be the president of this country.”

Olanya also cautioned Kadaga against fearing to challenge Museveni.

“You should never fear: remain bold,” counselled Olanya.

“The way you spoke and the way you defended Uganda outside Uganda should be reflected as you begin defending the country as president of Uganda.”

Other MPs also encouraged Kadaga to run for president.

Aruu North County Lucy Achiro Atim prophesied: “It may not be now or next year, but I am sure you will be the first female president of Uganda.”

Nwoya County MP Simon Oyet even also declared Kadaga “the most courageous woman in this country” who has now surpassed the position of speaker “and move to the presidency and should maintain that”.

Kadaga has been speaker since 2011. Her predecessor Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi is vice president of Uganda.

For years now, many pundits have placed Kadaga, Uganda’s first female speaker of parliament, in the Museveni succession queue.