NRM bans campaigns for speakership, Among writes to President Museveni on CEC

KAMPALA - The National Resistance Movement Party has banned its members from holding campaigning for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Addressing journalists at the Party headquarters, the Party’s Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, said that whoever is found campaigning or addressing members in hotels will be disqualified.

Odoi told journalists that during the Central Executive Committee meeting in Entebbe, it was resolved that no candidate will be allowed to campaign, convene meetings of NRM MPs, processions, bands, loudspeakers, or convoys will be permitted.

He said, however, that supporters may peacefully receive aspirants at the party headquarters as long as it does not turn into organised campaigning.

He stressed that the process is strictly regulated and that campaigning has been banned. "It was agreed that you please express interest and go home. No campaign,” he said.
He also warned against bribery.

“If we get evidence that you bribed people, collected MPs in hotels, or distributed money, on Sunday, we shall disqualify such a person,” the officials said, adding that the office of Speaker should be handled with dignity rather than through aggressive campaigning.

He explained that where there are two or more candidates for a position, the caucus will vote; even where a candidate is unopposed, the caucus will still conduct a vote by show of hands as part of the official procedure.

“Once the caucus approves the candidates, the NRM Secretary General will formally communicate to Parliament the party flag bearers for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker,” he said.

The party further clarified that there would be no expression of interest fees because the process was impromptu and because CEC wants to eliminate the influence of money in party activities.

He clarified that although earlier CEC had endorsed Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa for the positions, CEC resolved to restart the process following the withdrawal of former Speaker Anita Annet Among from the race.

He said the Second National Vice Chairperson sent an apology, which was formally received and accepted after it was explained that she was indisposed.

“In total, CEC registered a quorum of 23 members. Other attendees included the Vice President, the Prime Minister, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. CEC was therefore “fully constituted”.

Odoi said Among formally wrote to the NRM Chairman, withdrawing her interest in contesting for Speaker. He said the letter was read before CEC.

“As a result, CEC rescinded its earlier recommendation that had fronted Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the top parliamentary positions and resolved to reopen the process for fresh expressions of interest,” Odoi said.

He said the fact that CEC opened the position for all means Tayebwa remains eligible to contest because he had not withdrawn from the race.

He said other interested members, including ministers and MPs from the NRM, are invited to express interest, provided they are members of the NRM, were elected on the NRM ticket and are members of the 12th Parliament.

He said expressions of interest would be received from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on Saturday. “Candidates’ CVs and details will then be compiled and submitted to CEC. CEC will then vet candidates on Sunday, May 24, at 9:00 a.m. at State House, Entebbe,” Odoi said.

He said approved names will then be presented to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at 2:00 p.m. the same day, and successful candidates will become the official NRM flag bearers for Monday’s parliamentary election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

According to Odoi, in the letter to the President, Among not only withdrew from the race but also pledged support for whichever candidates CEC and the caucus endorse.

“The party chairman has already responded to her letter. He thanked her for the decision, adding that she would continue serving the party in her capacity as Second National Vice Chairperson,” he said.

He also addressed concerns regarding the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), describing it as a pressure group and not a political party.

“I want to make it clear that PLU members are still members of the NRM. It's not true that PLU has now taken over NRM, the ruling party. The NRM is chaired by His Excellency the President. PLU is simply a pressure group within NRM,” the President said.

According to Odoi, the NRM Party currently has 372 flag-bearing MPs in Parliament, with only a small number of independents aligned to the ruling party.

On DP Nobert Mao’s desire to contest, Odoi said the MOU signed with him can only allow him to participate in NRM activities in other areas, but not speakership.

He said Mao can attend the Caucus tomorrow as an observer but will not be nominated as Speaker.

“If you have signed an MOU with NRM, that MOU can serve in another session. But for this one, we want pure NRM. You can write to the party chairman to be a member of the caucus tomorrow or an observer. 

But we cannot say that Hon. Nobert Mao is our candidate tomorrow because he belongs to the Democratic Party and is the president general of the party. But if he wants to cooperate at cooperation level, IPOD level, he's welcome. With those brilliant ideas, I think MOU is welcome. But for the speaker, NRM will make its own choice. It's better to have your own child than a borrowed child,” he said.

He also clarified that members of opposition parties such as the Democratic Party, National Unity Platform, Forum for Democratic Change, or PPP are free to contest during the parliamentary election itself, but the NRM would only front its own official candidates.

“If you belong to another political party, we cannot stop you from participating. But for Speaker, NRM will make its own choice,” officials said.