The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Parliamentary Caucus has confirmed Bukedea Woman MP, Anita Among as the party’s candidate for the Speaker race.
This was during the caucus meeting held on Thursday at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Among who has been serving as Deputy Speaker of Parliament was also endorsed by the party’s top organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Wednesday.
She was elected for the position of Deputy Speaker on May 24, 2021.
Thomas Tayebwa, the NRM party Chief Whip was also endorsed by CEC and later confirmed by the parliamentary caucus.
The Ruhinda North MP confirmed the development through his official tweeter handle.
“Thank you colleagues for endorsing me unopposed for Deputy Speaker on NRM ticket,” he said.
Tayebwa’s endorsement followed the withdrawal of the candidature of 12 aspirants who had expressed interest in the Deputy Speaker seat according to a statement by the NRM CEC.
These included Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, Bungokho North MP John Faith Magolo, Worker’s MP Abdulhu Byakatonda, Kabula County MP Enos Asiimwe, Worker’s MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara, Ajuri County MP Hamson Denis Obua, Labwor County MP Norman Ocher, Kitgum Woman MP Lillian Aber, Kinkizi East MP James Kaberuka, West Budama North East Fox Odoi and Agago North North MP John Amos Okot.
Helen Auma, the Busia Woman MP said that they are ready to support their candidates as endorsed by the party structures.
The Constitution provides that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election of Speaker at any time that office is vacant.
Both Among and Tayebwa were formally members of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change –FDC before joining the ruling party.
They will now contest against Opposition candidates in the race. Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa was endorsed to contest for Speaker position while Kioga County MP, Moses Okot Bitek is to contest for Deputy Speaker.
The ruling NRM party has majority MPs in the Eleventh Parliament totaling 336 while the Opposition has 109 MPs.
On Friday, the MPs will converge at Kololo Independence Grounds to elect the new Speaker under Rule 5 of the Parliament Rules of Procedure. The rule provides 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.
Under Rule 5 (8), a person presiding shall then invite nominations from MPs present. The nominee will be required to consent to the nomination and subsequently, be seconded before the proposer gives a brief statement of the background and qualifications of the nominee.
In the event that only one person is nominated for the position of Speaker, he or she shall be declared elected and conducted to the Chair.
Rule 5 (12) of the Rules of Procedure, provides that where more than one person is nominated, the House shall proceed to elect a Speaker by a secret ballot.
The person elected Speaker shall then subscribe to the Oath of Speaker upon which, the new Speaker will be presented with the Mace, the Uganda Flag, the Court of Arms, the Speaker’s robes, the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
In the event that Among is voted Speaker, she will have to immediately preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker as stipulated by Rule 6 (4) of the Rules of Procedure which also states that, “An election to the Office of Deputy Speaker shall be held at the first sitting of Parliament after that office becomes vacant.”
The election of the Deputy Speaker will be conducted in a similar manner provided under Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure.
