Members of Parliament on the opposition have on Thursday endorsed two candidates to vie for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the 11th Parliament.
The legislators comprising of members from various political parties like JEEMA, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), National Unity Platform (NUP) ,Uganda people’s Congress (UPC) and Democratic Party(DP) sat today as an opposition caucus and voted through a secret ballot.
The Bugiri Municipality MP and JEEMA party boss Asuman Basalirwa took the day after polling 49 votes against his rival Jonathan Odur’s who garnered 20 votes.
The opposition caucus also voted FDC’s Moses Okot Junior to contest as its flag bearer in the race for deputy speaker of the 11th parliament.
The Shadow Minister of Information Joyce Bagala says Okot was voted unopposed after Kampala woman MP Shamim Malende withdrew from the race.
Basaalirwa will compete against Anita Among for the ruling National Resistance Movement on Friday during a special sitting at the Kololo Independence grounds. Meanwhile, Okot will tussle it out with NRM’s Thomas Tayebwa who has been endorsed unopposed by the NRM caucus to run for for Deputy Speaker.
Article 82(4) of the Constitution of Uganda provides that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant.
The deceased speaker Jacob Oulanyah will be buried after the election of a new speaker.
