Nsereko, Oulanyah face off as MPs elect Speaker today

May 18, 2016

The political interplay within the parliamentary corridors of power indicates that Nsereko is likely to lose the race.

PIC:  Jacob Oulanyah (left) and Mohammed Nsereko are vying for deputy Speaker

KAMPALA - Whatever the Opposition wing in Parliament might pull off today (Thursday) in a bid to front a candidate for Speaker of Parliament, the political clouds for the incumbent Rebecca Kadaga, are extremely clear.

Today Kadaga, the Kamuli woman MP, would be in command of the competition for her seat as over 400 lawmakers gather in the Parliamentary Conference Hall converge to elect the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

If she goes through unopposed, Kadaga's singular role today would be to preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker.

However, the political pomp would be more on the race for Deputy Speaker as incumbent and Omoro County MP, Jacob Oulanyah, faces off with Kampala Central MP, Mohammed Nsereko.

The political interplay within the parliamentary corridors of power indicates that Nsereko, who recently declined to pull out of the race to back Oulanyah, is likely to lose the race.

The reason Nsereko who is an independent stands no chance, source say, is because of the leverage that NRM enjoys numerical strength in the House. At the beginning of this month, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary caucus meeting endorsed Kadaga for Speaker and Oulanyah for deputy.

 

It is therefore expected that when MPs convene to elect Speakers, the NRM position would carry the day.

However, other sources say that given the unpredictable nature of politicians, Nsereko's bid might gain momentum ahead of the final vote, and maybe, he can shortchange NRM and Oulanyah. Yet this is the most unlikely interplay of the events.

How Parliament Speaker is elected

The processes that shape the election of the Speaker and deputy are outlined under Article 82 of the Constitution.

The first command of the Constitution on the matter of election of Speaker and deputy is that the two people shall be elected by MPs from among their number.

The Vice President or a minister cannot be elected Speaker. The process of electing a Speaker is presided over by the Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice.

After electing the Speaker, the election of the Deputy Speaker is presided over by the Speaker elect.

PAST SPEAKERS

1.   Sir John Bowes Griffin (1962-1963)

2.   Patel Narendra (1963-1971)

3.   Prof. Edward Rugumayo (1979-1980)

4.   Francis Butagira (1980-1985)

5.   President Yoweri Museveni (1986-1996)

6.   James Wapakhabulo (1996-1998)

7.   Francis Ayume (1998-2001)

8.   Edward Ssekandi (2001-2011)

9.   Rebecca Kadaga (2011- to date)

 

 

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