A section of Members of Parliament (MPs) have Wednesday appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga to offer herself for Presidency given the charisma, courage and the spirit of nationalism and Pan Africanism she portrayed when she stood against the homosexuality debate during the Inter parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.
The appeal was made as MPs passed a motion congratulating Kadaga for consistently upholding and protecting Uganda’s cultural values during the 139th Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly which took place in Geneva a few weeks ago.
The motion was moved by the former Minister for Ethics and Integrity also Member of Parliament for Bufumbira East Constituency, Dr. James Nsaba Buturo. It was seconded by Oyom District Woman MP, Sandra Santa Alumu.
Buturo said that Kadaga took a firm decision and rallied various delegates in different geopolitical regions to support the motion which could allow the Assembly to intervene in the choice of topic for discussion and thus ruled never to discuss the issue of homosexuality before the Assembly.
Buturo said that this wasn’t the first time Kadaga took a stand against such a move.
“During the 138th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Kadaga objected to the unfair move of tabling homosexuality on the agenda as well as during the 27th IPU Assembly in Canada where she famously rejected the forceful imposition of foreign sexual practices on Africans which are contrary to our cultural norms and values,” Nsaba Buturo submitted.
However, some legislators used the opportunity to urge the Speaker to offer herself to be President of Uganda, a position the said requires such bold and courageous leaders of her caliber.
“I appreciate you for always being bold for the people of Uganda. God has brought you at a right time and you are the kind of the leader that is wanted in this country. Looking at the time that you have taken in Parliament and now that you are the Speaker, I pray you must be the President of Uganda,” said Kilak South MP, Gilbert Olanya.
Olanya argued that the fact that the Speaker has stood with the people of Uganda is a clear indication that God is molding her for a top position in the country.
“You should remain bold, never fear. The way you spoke and the way you defend Uganda outside Uganda should be reflected as you come back home and begin defending the country from here as the President of this country,” Olanya noted.
The Nwoya County MP, Simon Oyet joined Olanya to make a similar call to Kadaga noting that she has now ascended from the position of the Speakership to that of the Presidency.
“With all due respect, you have moved from the position of the Speakership and ascended to the position of the Presidency and that is what you must aspire to maintain,” Oyet said.
He added, “Abraham Lincolin one time said that among all the good qualities of leadership, courage is the better one. You have proved beyond reasonable doubt that you are the most courageous woman this country has ever produced.”
Aruu North County MP, Lucy Achiro Otim as well stated that Kadaga is poised to be Uganda’s first female President.
“It may not be now or next year, but I am sure in the near future, you will be the first female President of Uganda,” Achiro said.
This isn’t the first time Kadaga’s name is mooted for Presidency. She has often been cited among the suitable successors of President Museveni within the ruling NRM party, although she has never publicly expressed interest in the Presidency.
Rebecca Kadaga, lawyer and politician has been Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda for the last seven years 2011. She is the first woman to hold that position in the history of Uganda. Kadaga has also been the Woman MP for Kamuli district since 1989.
She has previously held three different Ministerial positions.
