Breaking News: Black Smoke As NRM’s CEC Invites Expression Of Interest For Speaker And Deputy Speaker Candidates

For the last 10 days, the elections of the speaker of parliament has dominated the headlines with several candidates with in the NRM expressing interest in the lucrative job at parliamentary avenue. The National Unity Platform has also endorsed Jinja South East legislator Paul Mwiru to be their candidate in the speakership race.

Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) had indicated that after rescinding their endorsement of Anita Among and Tayebwa for Speakership and Deputy speakership, their patron also the Chief of Defense Forces Muhoozi Keinerugaba instead endorsed West Budama Central legislator also outgoing Minister of Defense and Veteran affairs Jacob Oboth Oboth for the job.

When police and army launched heightened search operations against former Speaker Anita Among who had wanted the position at all costs, she was forced out of the race and even formally and painfully withdrew from the race. Then Muhoozi re-endorsed Tayebwa for the Deputy Speakership as the country awaited for the NRM CEC meeting which has taken place today.

As many expected that CEC would just rubber stamp Muhoozi’s proffered candidates Jacob Oboth Oboth for Speakership and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy speakership, the party’s Apex organ has shocked and announced their position which is far away from what had been sold to the public by Muhoozi, Kabanda and their PLU.

According to Dr. Tanga Odoi, the Electoral Commission Chairman with in NRM, the Central Executive Committee has taken note of the withdraw from the race by Anita Among whom it had endorsed in a February meeting. Consequently, CEC has opened up the race for speakership with the party and interested candidates will now be required to formally express interests ahead of the NRM caucus on Sunday 24th.

MPs in of the 12th parliament are expected to vote for their speaker on Monday 25th in the first plenary which will be Chaired by the Chief Justice Flavia Zeija.

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