President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has promised to appoint Ruhinda North MP Thomas Tayebwa Minister in his new cabinet as a condition for his withdrawal from the deputy speaker race.
Tayebwa lost to Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among in the ruling NRM party caucus vote held at State House Entebbe on May 23.
But Tayebwa had sworn he would stand as an independent.
DEPUTY SPEAKER RACE: Thomas Tayebwa defies Museveni’s NRM, to run as an independent
Yet when he turned up at Kololo Independence Grounds today, he said he had withdrawn from the race in favor of Among.
Tayebwa argued the party was above his personal interests, and bigger than “all of us.”
But sources at State House have told Pearl Times News that it was difficult for Museveni to convince Tayebwa to quit the race.
Museveni had sought the help of senior politicians such as Maj Gen Saverino Kahinda Otafiire, who also hails from Mitooma District, to convince Tayebwa to accept a ministerial appointment.
With discussions going on past midnight, Tayebwa finally confirmed early May 24 morning he would leave the race, sources added.
Among will now tussle it out with independent candidate Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central), FDC’s Yusuf Nsibambi (Mawokota South), and Okin PP Ojara (Chua West.
