NRM: We need more time to choose between Kadaga and Oulanyah

Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has written to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, asking her to convene a meeting of the Parliamentary Commission to discuss the possibility of postponing May 21 speaker and deputy speaker elections to allow political parties, including NRM, more time to pick candidates.

Writing on May 04, Dr Rugunda told Speaker Kadaga and the Commission that “political parties might be interested in meeting their honorable members through their various caucuses before the election of the Honorable Speaker.”

He added that such political party processes “may necessitate adjusting the program and or the date for the election of speaker and Deputy speaker.”

The NRM is yet to choose between Kadaga, seeking a third successive term; and her decade-long deputy Jacob Oulanyah keen on rising to the helm of the legislative arm of government.

The NRM candidate is likely to become speaker since the party has a considerable majority in the 11th Parliament.

Opposition political parties seem decided on their candidates for Speaker.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has chosen Kira Municipality MP and outgoing opposition chief whip Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda while the Democratic Party (DP) has picked Richard Ssebamala.

NRM issues apology after Tanga Odoi dismissed notice on speaker, deputy speaker expression of interest forms