Polling for the speaker of parliamenthas kicked off at Kololo independence grounds after nomination of three candidates.
The nominated candidates at Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda (Kira Municipality), Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (Woman MP Kamuli District) and Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro County).
Oulanyah was nominated and seconded by Bright Rwamirama (Isingiro North) and Amongi Betty respectively. Ssemujju was nominated by Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and seconded by Okia Moses (Soroti East).
The third candidate, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga was nominated by Kisa Steven (Luwuuka South) and seconded by Geoffrey Macho (Busia Municipality).
The Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo allowed eight minutes of the MPs who nominated candidates and two minutes to those seconding the nominated candidates.
Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa would then move the motion to close nomination of candidates and seconded by MP Gilbert Oulanyah.
Eng Richard Ssebamala (Bukoto Central) and Juliet Kyinyamatama (Rakai District Woman MP) who had earlier expressed interest in the position were not nominated by any legislator despite being present.
The start of voting was however delayed for a couple of minutes as legislators questioned whether the adopted voting procedure was consistent with the rules of procedure of Parliament particularly on ascertaining the number of MPs present before the start of voting.
After listening to several points of procedure from legislators, the Chairperson ascertained from the records by the Clerk to Parliament that 320 were present and ruled that their names be read out.
Casting ballots finally started at 1:24pm