Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North County in Mitooma District, Thomas Tayebwa has been elected and declared the newly Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among. Tayebwa won the race with 379 beating his colleague Hon. Okot P’Bitek who got 82 votes.
In his as newly elected Deputy Speaker, a Thomas Tayebwa thanks everyone who participated in the voting process and states;
“I’m much more prepared now than I was 9 months ago when I wanted this position.”
In addition he adds on and says,
“Together, we shall serve this Parliament with dignity and cooperation.”
Tayebwa recognised the Late Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah and promised to exercise what Oulanyah taught them. By this she says,
“Rt Hon Oulanyah taught us that when we are doing parliamentary work, it should be “We” not “I.” We are ready to emulate this”
He furtherly remarks and apologised for previous statements that he made earlier on,
“I made statements when I was trying to explain how Jacob Oulanyah would respond to some statements. I sincerely apologize.”
“I made some statements personally that annoyed our brothers and sisters in Uganda. I apologize to anyone who was hurt.”
Thomas Tayebwa on his own statements to MPs that wanted the Speaker position ring fenced for MPs from Acholi. “He told them to go to hell.”
In conclusion, Thomas Tayebwa pledged full support to Rt. Hon. Speaker Anita Among in the rest of his acceptance speech.