At least 13 members of parliament belonging to the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM have shown interest in running for speakership to replace departed former speaker Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori.
Oulanyah died on Sunday in Seattle, US where he had been flown for treatment.
Uganda’s constitution directs that no parliament business can take place without a speaker which prompted parliament to set Friday March 24th as the day for speakership elections.
NRM which is the majority political party in parliament earlier today held nominations for individuals who intended to run in the race.
Among the people who have shown interest in running for the position is Deputy Speaker Anita Among, the Woman MP for Bukedea District.
Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Ssekikuubo, Budama Central MP Jacob Oboth Oboth who is currently the State Minister for Defence, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi, Dokolo South MP Felix Okot Ogong, Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi have also declared their intentions to run in the position.
Others include Atima Jackson who represents Arua Municipality, Kagoma North MP Kintu Alex Brandon, Sports Minister Denis Hamson Obua, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, Masindi District Woman MP Florence Akiiki Asiimwe, Agago North MP Amos Okot and Pius Wakabi of Bugahya County.
Former speaker and current first Deputy Prime Minister in charge of East Africa Affairs Rebecca Kadaga who had been rumoured to have interest in the race dropped out on Tuesday morning saying she needed to concentrate on her mandate of driving regional integration.
The NRM caucus will convene on Thursday March 23rd to decide on who will hold the party’s flag in the elections.
The constitution directs that every cabinet member has to resign their position to run in the speakership race but the NRM Electoral Commission guided that no one will resign their positions until a decision is made on Friday.
