The race of replacing deceased former speaker Jacob Oulanyah has tightened as deputy speaker Anita Among and three ministers have confirmed their hopes of running for the re-election.
Anita Among who has served as deputy speaker since commence of the 11th parliament is among the top key figures who are committed to replacing her former boss Oulanyah who died on Sunday.
The others are State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Hillary Onek, State minister for Sports Hamson Obua (Ajuri County MP), and State Minister for Defence Jacob Oboth Oboth (West Budama South).
Jacob Oboth Oboth returns the second time since he was one of the contenders last year when Jacob Oulanyah was picked Speaker and Anita Among Deputy but withdrew.
All the hopefuls are set to officially express their interests to the NRM electoral committee from whom the party will choose who to nominate for the position ahead of elections scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2022.
Kazo County legislator Dan Kimosho who is the lead coordinator of Anita Among’s campaign activities said his candidate is of a far better competitive advantage than others having been “tested and trusted” for the times she has deputized her deceased senior Oulanyah.
The number of all speakership hopefuls has not been revealed as yet as interested candidates keep jetting in every now and then.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which has the majority in Parliament, has since called for a caucus on Wednesday to determine who to front for the position.
The Constitution provides that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than the election to the office of Speaker at any time that the office falls vacant.
The election under the circumstances will be presided over by the Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice until the new speaker takes an oath.
Oulanyah was flown out of the country on February 3, 2022, for specialized treatment following a referral by doctors at Mulago National Referral Hospital where he was admitted before his condition deteriorated.
Oulanyah, who doubled as the Omoro County legislator and Vice-Chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party for Northern Uganda, becomes Uganda’s first ever serving speaker to die in office.
