Parliament has confirmed that the swearing-in and the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker have been moved to take place at Kololo Independent Grounds come May 21, 2021.
The Parliament’s Spokesperson, Helen Kawesa confirmed the development stating that the relocation from Parliament to the Kololo Independent Grounds is meant to observe the COVID-19 protocols.
“Yes, the swearing-in and the election are going to take place in Kololo because of space and conforming to the COVID-19 SOPs. The conference hall and the outside tent are insufficient to accommodate over 500 MPs,” said Ms. Kawesa.
The swearing-in ceremony has been allocated three days from Tuesday May 18, 2021 to Thursday May 20, 2021 and Friday May 21, 2021 is reserved for the election of the Speaker and the Deputy.
Customarily, the MPs elect are escorted to the swearing-in podium with a maximum of four close family members including the spouse, father, mother and a child.
The race for Speaker has the incumbent Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanyah from the ruling National Resistance Movement party. The opposition Forum for Democratic Change has fronted the Kiira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda though some members of the party including Commissioner Francis Mwijukye; Dokolo District Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal and Tushabe Atkins of Bukonjo County West MP, Atkins Katusabe have already declared their support for Kadaga. FDC has lost leadership of opposition to the new National Unity Platform.
NUP, being the biggest opposition party in the 11th Parliament with 61 members, has not fronted a candidate yet though some of its members including the Mityana Woman MP elect, Joy Bagala; Kawempe North MP elect, Kazibwe Bashir Mbazira, Kibooga Woman MP elect, Christine Kaaya Nakimweero and Kasanda MP Patrick Nsamba Oshabe have already declared their support for incumbent Kadaga.
The Democratic Party has the Bukoto Central MP elect, Richard Ssebamala, who defeated the vice president Edward Ssekandi in the last parliamentary elections. Ssebamala is yet to be endorsed by the DP.
The Rakai Woman MP, Juliet Ssuubi Kinyamatama is also standing for Speaker of Parliament. She is going to be an independent member in the 11th Parliament though she is currently NRM.
The Deputy Speaker’s race has Thomas Tayebwa of Ruhinda North; Jacob Oboth Oboth of Budama West Budama South; Bukedea Woman MP, Anita Among and Gomba Woman MP, Robinah Rwakoojo from the NRM. FDC has endorsed Mawokoota South MP elect, Yusuf Mafabi for the position of the Deputy Speaker.
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