The top organ of the ruling political party, NRM, Central Executive Committee has endorsed Deputy Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among as their flag bearer for the Speakership race that fell vacant after the passing of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.
Among has been serving as Deputy Speaker of Parliament under the fallen Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who died on Sunday from a hospital in Seattle USA, where he had been taken for specialized treatment last month.
At the time of his death, Oulanyah had only presided over parliament business for 9 months and 24 days since his election to the position on 24th May 2021.
On Tuesday, 13 NRM MPs expressed interest in the seat after the death of the Omoro County MP.
They. included Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi, Minister of State for Defence, Jacob Oboth Oboth, Jackson Atima Lee Buti, Arua Central MP, Tororo Woman MP, Sarah Opendi, and others.
Others are Dokolo South MP, Felix Okot Ogongo, Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, Kagoma North MP Kintu Brandon, Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of State for Sports, Hamson Obua, Florence Asiimwe, the Masindi Woman MP, John Amos Okot, the Agago North MP and Pius Wakabi, the Bugahya County MP.
Article 82 (4) of the Constitution provides that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election of Speaker at any time that office is vacant and basing on this, Cabinet on Monday set March 25th as the date for the election of a new speaker of Parliament.
This prompted the ruling NRM party and the Opposition in Parliament to embark on a process to endorse a candidates for the election.
On Wednesday CEC endorsed Among for the Speaker position.
Capt. Mike Mukula, the NRM National Vice Chairman for Eastern confirmed the endorsement of Among on his official Twitter handle.
Her name will now further be discussed in the NRM Parliamentary Caucus scheduled for Thursday at Kololo Independence grounds and possibly a candidate to take up the Deputy Speaker seat.
This will be before an election by the House on Friday in which other political parties will field candidates.
The Opposition in Parliament is also on Thursday to name its candidate for the Speakership. So far, Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa and Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende have expressed interest in the position.
The ruling NRM Party boosts of the highest number of MPs in the Eleven Parliament totaling 336 MPs against Opposition’s 109 MPs. All the past Speakers of Parliament have been candidates endorsed by the ruling party.