Credible sources have intimated to this online publication that the Jacob Oulanyah camp is in buoyant mood following what they termed ‘clear signals’ from the chairman of the ruling NRM party, President Yoweri Museveni.
Deputy Speaker Oulanyah is running for the post of Speaker of Parliament against incumbent Rebecca Kadaga. The two are the top contenders in the race. FDC’s Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda is the other candidate in the race.
“We are almost in the final lap of the race and it looks clearer from what we see. Our suits are ready. Our opponents are not even visible behind us. Its us against the finish line. We are just waiting for the announcement,” an excited Oulanyah supporter told us.
Sources in the camp have told us that they were plunged into unspeakable excitement after they listened to President Museveni’s speech in Kyankwanzi where NRM MPs-elected had camped for 3 weeks to get acquainted with the party ideology and what is expected of them during their tenure in parliament.
While closing the retreat, President Museveni who also set camp in Kyankwanzi for the three weeks, the first time he’s done it, blasted parliament and warned that the time for begging, pleading and lobbying with the August House had come to an end saying he has the power to day no.
“We have got a lot of delays by Parliament. This must stop and everybody should play their part. I am here in two capacities, one as the president-elect repeatedly by the people but also as the leader of the resistance movement. I have capacity to say no,” he said.
DETAILS
Prior to the Kyankwanzi retreat, President Museveni summoned all the NRM candidates in the race for speaker for a meeting at State House where he reportedly banned campaigns.
However, reports say candidates in the race have had emissaries meeting different lawmakers and making cases for them.
There was no mention of the race until Museveni’s speech that sent tongues wagging with many speaking in hushed voices about who or what he meant.
“What will stop us from taking this post! What hasn’t he done for the party?” an Oulanyah supporter told us.
It is not clear what the president meant with his statements, but sources and analysts who prefer anonymity, say he was sending a veiled warning to the leadership of parliament.
Oulanyah has chaired plenary once in over a year with Kadaga keeping him on ‘Katebe’ which many of the former’s supporters have called unfair.
The Deputy Speaker has also been in Kyankwanzi and Oulanyah’s believe the president’s remarks were aimed at the person currently running the plenary affairs of the house.
Oulanyah is in the race, backed by a landslide victory for the NRM in the north he helped mastermind, a triumph the party registered for the first since its inception.
Northern Uganda voted overwhelmingly for Presidemt Museveni in the January presidential polls.
CEC DECISION
Oulanyah supporters are also banking on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), the decision making organisation of the party to eventually endorse the man from Omoro.
In the 2016 elections for speaker, Oulanyah was forced to make a compromise and give way to Kadaga who then argued that she had delivered the Busoga block vote to NRM and Museveni, and that her predecessor, Edward Ssekandi had served two terms therefore, the party was supposed to continue with the precedence to allow her two terms.
Her two terms as Speaker come to an end when the current parliament is dissolved.
CEC then bought her argument and endorsed her candidature.
Members CEC are expected to sit on Tuesday 4th, according to reports and the speakership battle is expected to be on table for discussion according to reports.
Elections for the Speaker are expected to take place on 20th May 2021.
VICE PRESIDENT POST
There has been growing calls for Kadaga to be appointed the country’s Vice President with those arguing for it saying her experience is fit for the post.
They also say it will answer the cries of many women who have have called for a balance of power especially with regard to top posts.
A VP is the country’s number two.
