Sekikuubo cleared to run for deputy speaker

Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Sekikuubo has finally been gazetted as the MP elect for the county after the Constitutional Court dismissed a case that had been filed against him by his opponent Patrick Nkalubo calling for a vote recount. 

Court led by Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma dismissed the case stating that there was no need for a recount and also ordered the Masaka lower court where the same case had also been filed to be dismissed. 

This allowed the NRM legislator on Friday afternoon in the company of his lawyer Caleb Alaka to express interest in running for the deputy speaker seat by handing his papers to the NRM electoral commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi. 

While receiving the papers, Odoi criticized Nkalubo for trying to drag him into the conflict noting that his sole responsibility at the moment is to oversee the elections for the speaker and deputy speaker as opposed to solving political conflicts.  

"I want to be as neutral as possible. If anyone has a problem with Hon. Sekikuubo, that is their issue. As the NRM electoral commission, what i have stood for is transparency. Are you candidates? Yes. Are you eligible? Yes." Odoi said.

In his remarks, Sekikuubo expressed dismay at having to be the last elected MP to be gazetted and yet he took part in a general election where over 458 MPs were elected and gazetted. 

"How come that out of all 458 elected MPs you are the only one who is gazetted last and a gazette of only person and yet you participated in a general election where over 458 MPs were elected and gazetted.

Anyway, I am happy at last that my nomination and my standing as deputy speaker is no longer in doubt" Sekikuubo said.

This brings the number of NRM MPs vying for the deputy speaker to 6 and 2 for speaker.