Outgoing Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has been cautioned against violating the party guidelines by contesting as independent as earlier speculated after the party chose Jacob Oulanyah to contest for Speakership tomorrow-Monday.
This website broke news of the decision made by the highest organ- Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Sunday morning to back Oulanyah as Speaker.
Both candidates were present at Entebbe State House.
After the announcement, Kadaga stormed out of State House.
Our source privy to the meeting revealed that CEC resolved to front one candidate to express its powers as a top body of the ruling party.
“If CEC left the position open as earlier suggested it would have been interpreted that it is powerless. How else could it fail to pronounce itself on a matter agreed upon in 2016,” said an official.
However, Kadaga argued that the CEC of 2016 had expired and new members were voted, a reason the 2016 agreement was invalid, her argument was thrown out.
CEC members further said they will exhibit dishonesty and therefore set a bad precedence if they don’t endorse Oulanyah who has patiently waited for his turn to be Speaker as promised in 2016.
Moses Kigongo, the NRM vice chairman chaired the meeting as President Yoweri Museveni looked on.
Museveni only interrupted when Minister of Health for General Duties Hon Robina Nabanja stood up to present her credentials as a candidate for Deputy Speakership.
Museveni wondered who had sneaked Nabanja in the race considering her position as Minister.
“Nabanja who has brought you here? I thought we are together in cabinet,” Museveni is quoted to have said.
As CEC read its decision, senior members asked Kadaga not to dare contest as independent since she will have gone against the principles of the party.
A source said Kadaga agreed that she wouldn’t stand.
However, her supporters have since gone haywire arguing her to stand as independent on Monday at Kololo grounds.
Immediately after resolving on the top seat, CEC vetted Deputy Speaker candidates.
Three names have so far been sent to the party caucus for voting.
All NRM lawmakers have converged at State House Entebbe.
The three MPs endorsed are Hon Robinah Rwakoojo, Thomas Tayebwa and Anita Among.
Earlier, CEC said that since Oulanyah had been endorsed, there was no need to have a man as deputy.
The race had been left to Robina and Anita.
CEC heard that Robina is among the very few MPs who won in Buganda region and most importantly in Gomba West, the backyard of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga is set to address the media at Africana Hotel.