The ruling NRM party choice for the position of Speaker of the 11th parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has warned his nemesis and Kamuli Woman MP Rebecca Kadaga against contesting as independent candidate.
On Sunday, Kadaga was dropped by the Central Executive Committee in favour of Oulanyah as the party flagbearer for today’s Speakership race.
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However, the incumbent said she will contest as an independent candidate citing unfairness by her own party.
Speaking shortly after being announced the party flag bearer, Oulanyah warned Kadaga against disrespecting the CEC decision after it was endorsed by the ruling NRM party caucus.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God. Listen to it. The people who sent us here spoke their voices and if we stick to that, we will be doing God’s work,”Oulanyah said on Sunday evening.
“A decision has been made and lets come together and serve this country. Lets make the parliament a people’s parliament.”
Oulanyah , who has been deputy speaker for 10 years also spoke of a similar CEC decision that saw him asked to step down for Kadaga as the party flag bearer for Speaker of Parliament in 2016, saying that whereas it was painful, it was worth it.
He insisted that because of being loyal to the party, he has been rewarded by the party’s top organ.
“Being loyal can be very painful but when you heed, it can also pay. Like as I have always said, I would have been bound by the CEC decision, whatever the outcome,”Oulanyah said.
He said that painful as it was in 2016 to step down for Kadaga, he accepted it as has finally been rewarded.
He asked Kadaga to emulate him and respect the CEC decision by supporting him in the speakership race.
Oulanyah said it is high time Kadaga joined him to work together to deliver for Ugandans who are yearning for better service delivery.
“I am calling upon all members that we have a big task ahead. We cannot have parliament divided any further neither can we have the party divided any further. All of us should put hands together and work together to deliver for the party and the country at large.”
“We are not here to fight amongst ourselves. We are here to stand together and work for the country. That is the purpose for which we are sent here.”
Kadaga’s take
Shortly after being dropped by the top organ of the ruling NRM party as the flag bearer for the position of speaker, Kadaga stormed out of the meeting.
She would later address a press conference at Hotel Africana where she said there have always been deliberate efforts to have her pushed out of the race.
““The major reason I’m being pushed out is because of speaking about the issues of the ordinary people. I want to assure you the people that I will continue speaking on those issues. I will continue to stand up for the rights of those who are being marginalized,”Kadaga said.
She insisted that she will contest as an independent candidate in today’s election for the Speaker of the 11th parliament.
Kadaga will now face Oulanyah, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (FDC) and Richard Ssebamala in the race to become Speaker during elections by MPs set for later today at the Kololo Independence grounds.
