Pro-Kadaga supporters want sole candidate

Members of Parliament backing Rebecca Kadaga for re-election as Speaker of the 10^th House have called for a sole candidate.

The Buganda Caucus MPs moving to entrench Kadaga's support said they are rolling out talks with other contenders to convince them out of the race.

The hotly contest pits incumbent Kadaga against her Deputy Jacob Ouhlanya. They move was revealed during a meeting at the members lounge which later called for a press conference to declare unwavering support for Kadaga.

Kampala central MP Muhammad Nsereko, the coordinator of the meeting that was attended by 37 out of 100 members of the caucus said that: "Madam Kadaga has done everything to ensure the independence of the legislative arm. At times it's overwhelming but she actually tries so I don't think there is a reason for someone to run against her. We are going to lobby those other contestants to realize a sole candidate in this race." 

"Kadaga's sessions go till late in the night because she is always ensuring everyone has a chance to make an input, she respects other MPs and helps new comers get used to the House business," said Benny Namugwanya the Mubende woman MP.

Speaker Kadaga campaign task force team lead by Kampala central MP Mohammed Nsereko leave after a press briefing at parliament on 25th April 2016. PHOTO BY MARIA WAMALA

Rosemary Sseninde the Wakiso woman MP also weighed in saying that Kadaga stands for the truth at any cost, a virtue needed in the next speaker.

Mukono south MP-elect Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga said that, "we have been following closely from outside but since Kadaga took the mantle, the image of the House has improved greatly. Let us give her another uncontested chance."

Buganda Caucus split over contest

A section led by Buganda caucus chairperson Godfrey Kiwanda the Mityana North county MP last week weighed in for current Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, while those insisting that Rebecca Kadaga should be retained have the vice chairperson Betty Nambooze from Mukono municipality on their side.

Yesterday's meeting at the members lounge intended to replace Kiwanda with Nambooze failed to agree on how best to proceed with some members saying the approach was premature, forcing them to call for a short notice press briefing to declare unwavering support for Kadaga who is also the Kamuli woman MP.

Nambooze and Nsereko accused Kiwanda of trying to usurp powers of the Buganda Caucus executive committee by declaring individual opinions as a unanimous decision.

However, in a phone interview with the new vision yesterday, Kiwanda dispelled the allegations as populist and alarming.