I NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD BE SPEAKER THIS SOON: Here’s What Anita Among said after Being Elected to Replace Jacob Oulanyah

Anita Among was on March 25 elected speaker of the eleventh parliament, replacing the late Jacob Oulanyah.

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Here is what Among said after being elected:

It is with great honour and privilege that I stand before you to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to you for electing me to the Chair of Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

With humility and respect, I would like to say; thank you, Eyalama Noi…. Eyalama noi noi

Today is a day of mixed emotions. A day when we continue to mourn our fallen leader, comrade, friend, father and brother; Rt. Hon. Jacob L’okori Oulanyah.

Yet the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda which, we swore to uphold, dictates that constitutional processes to legitimise the business of Parliament to go on. I am happy that as statesmen and women we have lived up to our constitutional obligation.

The times have been challenging, especially the last few days. The grief, sorrow, and pain have taken a toll on all of us. The worries and the struggles.

But we have also witnessed your courage, your resilience, and the generosity of your spirit to run the course of the Rt. Honourable Oulanyah’s vision.

Your Excellency and Honourable Members, this is a day I never imagined would happen this soon, especially because I believed that for the next five or ten years I would have a strong mentor and leader to hold my hand. Little did I know that God had a different script.

Your Excellency and Honourable Colleagues, I am humbled and indeed overjoyed by the faith and trust you have placed in me. I am greatly indebted to you for what I have become today.

The leadership of the 11th Parliament will continue to be guided by a vision to have a people centred Parliament that is anchored on evidence based debates. Honourable Colleagues, we shall base all our decisions on facts as presented to the House.

Indeed we committed that reason and sound logic shall be used in tabling our positions, this will enable us to derive correct interpretation from agreed facts. I implore everyone to be tolerant and have mutual respect. Economy, efficiency and effectiveness shall underpin our utilization of the financial, material and human capital resources available to us.

Your Excellency and Honourable Members, the ongoing re-organization and institutional Reform of the Parliamentary Commission and the Parliamentary Service will continue until we achieve optimal performance and adequate support to the Members of Parliament.

Legislative and Administrative support services must meet the needs of the Members of Parliament.

Ours shall be a Parliament where the needs of the common man take centre stage in order to achieve the social – economic transformation that the NRM manifesto strives to achieve.

Honourable Colleagues, you have been unanimous in your assessment of my leadership; I’m here, ready to serve you, but I will serve you; as we walk the journey together.  United as we have always been, let us deliver a transformed country that we all call home.

 

A better Uganda is good for everyone irrespective of your political affiliation. The reason we have reached out to all political parties in Parliament to work for our country. I will be a Speaker for all.

I therefore, thank my party the National Resistance Movement and all the Members of the 11th Parliament for choosing and elevating me to the position of the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

With the guidance of the Lord, I will steer the House in a manner that will not only satisfy and inspire Ugandans but also make them proud. I accept this responsibility to serve the 11th Parliament and the Republic of Uganda as Speaker.

God Bless You

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.

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