Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Atim Ogwal delivered her keynote address at the campaign launch of Rebecca Kadaga’s third term as speaker with a warning to the Kamuli Woman MP not to underestimate her rival Jacob Oulanyah.
Kadaga launched her 2021 speaker campaign at Speke Resort Munyonyo on March 24.
Over 60 MPs in support of her bid attended the launch during which she stung her rival Oulanyah.
But Ogwal cautioned against underrating Oulanyah, arguing that he had support of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Ogwal reminded Kadaga that a member of CEC, Oulanyah had several allies in the ruling party’s top organ.
She also emphasized that it was tough for CEC to back Kadaga in 2016, and that her endorsement had come out of a compromise.
Recalling how tough it was for Kadaga to beat junior minister Persis Namuganza to the NRM second national vice chairperson position, the experienced legislator also rebuked NRM for ring fencing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s national chairman position and that that of his deputy Moses Kigongo, yet leaving the speaker unprotected.
Additionally, Ogwal warned against dirty campaigning.
If you Kadaga, you attack me as a woman; if you attack Jacob Oulanyah, you attack my son,” said the MP.
“So, be careful of the words you use in this campaign.”
Earlier in the day, Ogwal had declined to show her side in the race between Oulanyah and Kadaga pending NRM CEC’s decision.
“I have been very hesitant to speak about the candidature of Jacob Oulanyah and Rebecca Kadaga because I expect a strong statement from CEC,” Ogwal told NBS.
“CEC has allowed the children to fight.”
