When the news regarding the death of speaker Jacob Oulanyah was shared and confirmed by president Museveni, besides the mourning, every one in the corridors of power started asking who would replace him.
Many names where pointed at including the return of Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga who had her grip on the legislature for 20 years, 10 years as deputy speaker under Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and later Speaker for 10 years still and was deputized by the later Jacob Oulanyah.
Museveni’s national resistance Movement held nominations on Tuesday and it yesterday zeroed on Deputy Speaker Anita Among awaiting for endorsement and approval by the NRM caucus which is sitting today ahead of the speakership elections tomorrow at Kololo ceremonial grounds presided over by the Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo.
Now Among is set to battle it out with the candidates from opposition and even those NRM legislators who are not contented with CEC’s decision to award Anita Among the juicy job to succeed her fallen boss.
However, before the Anita Among team even celebrates early victory drawing to her elections results that earned her the Deputy speakership race where she swallowed two men Muhammad Nsereko of Kampala Central and Yusuf Nsibambi of Mawokota South, there seems a big hustle for Among if it comes to the reality that members of parliament from the greater Northern region might boycott the elections.
In a document seen by this website, members from the greater Northern region comprising of Lango, West Nile, and Acholi had revealed that they will boycott the speakership elections if the NRM candidate is not picked from their region because they think it’s not only prudent but very important for Museveni to ring fence the position for norther Uganda as a way of appreciating the Lion of Omollo which rested.
“Request that through the affirmative action principle of the NRM party and government, the position of the speaker of the 11th parliament be given to a from Northern Uganda where the fallen speaker originated from. This is based on NRM’s resounding victory in the region during the recently concluded general elections, regional balance and precedence set by NRM CEC in the EALA elections”- reads part of a join statement.
The members requested the NRM apex body CEC to consider the candidature of Hon Obua Denis Hamson, MP Ajuli county and also Minister of state Education and Sports, Hon Felix Okot Ogong, MP Dokolo South Constituency, Hon Okot John Amos, MP Agago Constituency and Hon Atima Jackson Lee.
The legislators further urge president Museveni that if the party’s flag bearer is not picked from their region, they will not take part in the elections and will instead opt to mourn their fallen colleague.
“Informs your Excellency that it is the considered view and wish all the three parliamentary groups that if proposals in 1 and 2 are not tenable, then the 102 members of parliament groups can only then send in their apologies for they shall not be able to attend the elections of the speaker slated for 25th March 2022, It is our further wish that in the event of such we be allowed to mourn our fallen son during this time”- reads the join statement.
Now that their request was not welcomed by president Museveni and his CEC committee, it remains unclear whether they will attend the caucus meeting at Kololo and on Friday for elections, front their own candidate or rally behind an opposition candidate. If they do any of the three mentioned options, it’s not good news for Anita Among who is counting on the NRM big numbers in parliament to ascend to the top seat.
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Time will tell let’s not worry much, all brothers and sisters of northern region let’s take heart . God gives and he takes any time he want we are his property