20 express interest in speakership race with NRM

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A total of 19 National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs and one NRM-leaning MP have expressed interest in the party's electoral commission today (May 23).

The party electoral commission, led by Dr Tanga Odoi, opened up the expression of interest for the candidates for both the speakership and deputy speakership positions yesterday (May 22) evening, following a directive and resolutions from the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral commission chairperson addressing the media. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

While addressing the media at the NRM electoral commission today (May 23), Odoi revealed that three candidates are vying to be NRM flagbearer for the speakership position, while 16 are vying for the deputy speakership position.

“Three MPs have expressed interest in the position of the speakership while 16 have expressed interest in the deputy speakership position,” Odoi said, however, adding that there was a special case of outgoing state Minister for House Persis Namuganza, who is an NRM-leaning MP who expressed interest in the speakership position.

“Namuganza came to express interest outside the party rules. We allowed this, and this matter is going to be forwarded to CEC. She is an NRM-leaning MP.

Outgoing state Minister for Housing, Persis Namuganza, who is an NRM leaning MP, expressed interest for the speakership position. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

The rules were clear that a candidate expressing interest in the speakership race in the NRM party must be an NRM flag bearer in the 12th parliament,” Odoi said.

The MPs who have contested for the speakership position are Jacob Oboth Oboth, MP for West Budama Central, Asiimwe Florence, Woman MP for Masindi district and Alioni Yorke Odria, MP for Aringa South.

Jacob Oboth Oboth getting nominated at the party headquarters. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

The MPs who have expressed interest in the deputy speakership position include: Rose Obiga, District Woman MP for Terego, Catherine Lamwaka, the District Woman MP for Omoro, Thomas Tayebwa, MP for Ruhinda North in Mitoma, Susan Nsambu Nakawuki, MP Mawokota South, Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, MP Mwenge South, Patrick Ogwang Obura, MP Oyam South, and James Kaberuka, MP Kinkizi West.

Denis Namara, MP Buyaga West. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, Mbale district Woman MP. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Other MPs are Denis Namara, MP Buyaga West, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, Mbale district Woman MP, Steven Shyaka Gashija, Entebbe Municipality MP, Jackson Kafuuzi, MP Kyaka South, Evelyne Tete Chelangat, District Woman MP for Bukwo, Hillary Lokwanga, MP Ik County, Edward Otto Makmot, MP Agago and Gen. Henry Tumukunde, MP Rukungiri Municipality.

Odoi revealed that all the aspirants who have expressed interest will be vetted tomorrow (Sunday, May 24) by CEC at 9:00am at State House, adding that the party electoral commission will present the names of the aspirants with their CVs, and CEC will give the final answer.

“Once CEC has given the final answer, the party electoral commission will forward the names to the caucus, and whoever will go through CEC after vetting, and CEC decides that there will be voting. Voting will be conducted through lining up,” Odoi said.

Odoi revealed that the vetting of the aspirants will start at 9:00am and later followed by the NRM parliamentary caucus at 2:00pm, adding that by the closure of business tomorrow, the NRM party flagbearer will be known.

“As the NRM party, we are very confident that the NRM party will win the speakership race when they face off with other opposition party flag bearers because we know we have the numbers and numbers do not lie,” Odoi said.