Kampala, Uganda | URN | Kamuli Woman MP Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga says that she is ready to submit a notice to the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party to compete in the Speakers race.
Kadaga is seeking a third term of office as the Speaker of Parliament having served as the Speaker of the ninth and tenth parliaments, ending ten years of service at the helm of the legislative assembly. Prior to this, she served as the deputy speaker for two terms, during the seventh and eighth parliaments.
But as the process takes shape ahead of speakers race, the Central Executive Committee of the ruling party, to which she subscribes to resolved that all its party members, who are interested in contesting for leadership positions in Parliament should officially express interest through the party Electoral Commission.
This is the first time that the Central Executive Committee is subjecting candidates to this kind of scrutiny. Riding on its numerical strength, the NRM has previously used its parliament caucus to decide on a particular candidate for the position of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Following this new resolution, those who will submit their interest by Friday, May 21, will be discussed by another CEC meeting on Saturday and if no consensus is reached, candidate names will be forwarded to the NRM parliamentary caucus scheduled to meet on May 23, for a vote, ahead of general polls on May 24. Kadaga, herself a member of CEC says that the regulations were discussed and agreed to by members.
She added that if given the mandate to return as Speaker, she will continue working towards improving MP facilities at Parliament.
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The race so far is pitting Kadaga against Omoro County MP-elect Jacob Oulanyah who has been serving as Deputy Speaker in the tenth Parliament. Chris Baryomunsi, the NRM Vice Chairperson of Western Uganda said that the CEC meeting fine-tuned the regulations and rules governing members of the NRM caucus and party regarding electing Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Kadaga was this morning sworn-in as Member of Parliament and to her constituents, she pledged to work towards increasing the number of technical schools in Kamuli district, improve water coverage, solar lighting, and education of the girl child.
The swearing-in process continues in the afternoon with each of the member expected to take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament, before they officially start their five-year term of office. Speaking after the administration of the oath, a section of the new MPs pledged to speak and work for the electorate.
