Opinion: What if NRM's CEC Referred the decision for Speakership to Caucus?The Fundamental questions?

By

AKAMPA Tanbull

Well, the count down is on. Just a few hours for the National Resistance Movement  (NRM)'s top decision making  committee to sit and discuss way forward on who becomes a Speaker of the 11th Parliament and how?

The race is largely between Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Rt Hon Jacob Oulanya. The elections will be held on 24th May 2021, at Kololo Independence Grounds and will be presided over by the Chief Justice Owinyi  Dolo as well the President of Uganda- H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa.

As I write this piece, there are some members of CEC that do not qualify to hold positions given the fact that their term of office is completely expired therefore if CEC took the decision to appoint/Nominate a  flag bearer/candidate for the position of Speaker of the 11th Parliament, this decision would be null and void and can be challenged in courts of Law.

The only body that would qualify to vote on who holds NRM's flag is caucus that largely is composed of elected Members of Parliament on NRM ticket and this caucus will constitutionally be legal after swearing in with in this week.

The fundamental questions:

The head of the Executive is from the West and the head of the Judiciary is from the North, is it possible to have the head of the Legislative arm of Government still from the North yet NRM has always boasted of regional balance?

The other fundamental question is, The head of the Executive is a Male and so is the head of the Judiciary, should we have the head of the Legislative arm of Government a male yet as NRM we have always boasted of Gender equality, Gender balance and Women emancipation? 

I hear of people talking about the gentleman's agreement of 2016,  the political terrains have changed, today you have Hon Ssemuju Ibrahim seemingly more powerful and vocal than Hon Jacob Oulanya meaning when you put Rt Hon Kadaga out of the race, then Ssemuju will most likely put Oulanya on the wall and this would create a crisis on the side of the ruling mass party NRM! 

 But still Busoga region also needs to keep part and parcel  in Uganda's top political positions and their only hope is in Rt Hon Rebecca Alintwala Kadaga. This will be a sure deal to bring back this region to the yellow bus. If not, they will feel isolated and neglected which will still be dangerous for NRM come 2026-2032.

Therefore CEC should refer the decision of Speakership to Caucus to vote internally but bearing in mind the fundamental questions.

For God and my Country-Uganda.

AKAMPA Tanbull

akampabi@gmail.com