KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: The Bukedea Woman MP, Anita Among has been elected Speaker of the Eleventh Parliament.
The election of the Speaker of Parliament was presided over by the Chief Justice of Uganda, Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo on Friday at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Among’s election follows the death of Omoro County MP, Jacob Oulanyah who died on Sunday in a Seattle Hospital, United States of America.
Among, defeated the opposition candidate Bugiri Municipality Asuman Basalirwa with 401 votes against Basalirwa’s 66 votes.
468 out of the total 529 MPs participated in the election of Speaker. Among has in the past 9 months been serving as Deputy Speaker of Parliament and her election as Speaker now leaves that seat vacant.
Among was nominated by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja while Basalirwa by Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga.
Among subscribed to the Oath of Speaker upon which, the President as required by the constitution handed over the instruments of power to the newly elected speaker. These included the mace as a symbol of authority under the commonwealth and the Uganda Court of Arms, the Uganda Flag, the Speaker’s robes, the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and the Constitution.
Among was on Wednesday endorsed as the ruling NRM party as flag bearer in the Speaker race by the NRM party top organ- the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the NRM Parliamentary caucus.
Meanwhile, prior to voting, a number of Opposition MPs raised procedural issues regarding the exercise.
Earlier on Among took photos with different MPs but the ones taken of her together with MP Zaake and Ssenyonyi as they hugged stood out and stirred public debate.
As the house convened, Butambala County MP, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi questioned statements made by the Chief Justice at the vigil of Oulanyah. However, Dollo who was chairing the session questioned whether the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus was a Constituency.
He also ruled that Kivumbi was not in order since that statement he was referring to had not been made in the sitting.
The Chief Justice attacked Baganda in the diaspora for protesting against Oulanyah’s treatment yet their ethnic leader was also allegedly transported in a presidential jet to Germany using public funds.
Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende questioned whether a system had been put in place to ensure that the incarcerated Kawempe North MP Ssegirinya Muhammad and Makindye East MP Allan Ssewanyana participate in the voting since they are presumed innocent until proved guilty. However, the Chief Justice said that the Rules of Procedure only talk about quorum and not those in prison.
Tayebwa picked
Ruhinda North County legislator in Mitooma District, Thomas Bingirana Tayebwa has been elected the Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament.
Tayebwa, who was endorsed by NRM Central Executive Committee – CEC on Thursday defeated his rival, Moses Okot Bitek Jr, the Kioga County MP in Kioga District with 379 votes against 82 votes respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Tayebwa thanked President Yoweri Museveni for appointing him Government Chief Whip which earned him good experience that will enable him to execute his duties with diligence.
He regretted quitting the position, which was occasioned by the sudden demise of Late Jacob Oulanyah. He also apologized for uncalculated statements that angered the Acholi MPs following their demand to compel the Government to ring-fence the position of the Speaker for the North following Oulanyah’s death.
Meanwhile, Tayebwa’s rival, Bitek was jointly endorsed by the six opposition parties in Parliament that include his party, Forum for Democratic Change – FDC, Democratic Party- DP, National Unity Platform – NUP, Uganda People’s Congress – UPC, Justice and Equity Movement Party – JEMA, and People’s Progressive Party – PPP.
Tayebwa now fills the vacuum created by Anita Among Annet, who was earlier elected the Speaker of Parliament at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds following the death of Jacob Oulanyah, the Omoro County lawmaker who died on 20th March, 2022 from Seattle, USA.
Prior to his election, Tayebwe, 41, was the Government Chief Whip in Parliament for the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM party. He resigned his position and President Yoweri Museveni accepted the resignation, wishing him victory in the race.
Parliament has been at a standstill since March 14th when the then Deputy Speaker Among adjourned the House sine die to enable her to fly to the USA to check on then bedridden Oulanyah who had been indisposed for weeks.
The Constitution under Article 82 (4) provides that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than election of Speaker at any time that office is vacant. This same procedure is laid down under Rule 5 of the Parliament Rules of Procedure.
Article 82 of the Constitution also provides that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall be elected by Members of Parliament from their number and a person shall not be qualified to be elected Speaker or Deputy Speaker if he or she is a Vice President or a Minister.
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