Thirteen Members of Parliament from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party have expressed interest to stand for speakership in an election slated for Friday, 25.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Speaker Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah who died in in Seattle, USA.
The thirteen include, current Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who declared her candidacy through her personal assistant, Mary Athieno, who picked her nomination forms from the NRM Electoral Commission Offices.
Later, the Deputy Attorney General, Jackson Kafuuzi Karugaba picked his nomination forms in person.
Jackson Atima, the Arua Central MP, flanked by two MPs also expressed his interest in the position.
Tororo Woman MP, Sarah Opendi through David Mujuzi, also expressed interest to run for Speakership.
Seasoned politician and Dokolo County, MP, Felix Okot Ogong, also expressed interest in the position.
Lwemiyaga County Legislator, Theodore Sekikubo also picked his nomination forms from the NRM EC offices.
Jacob Oboth Oboth, the State Minister for Defence, picked his nominations in the Afternoon. He revealed that he wants to keep the legacy of the late Speaker, Oulanyah.
Alex Kintu Brandon, the Kagoma North MP who also doubles as the NRM parliamentary caucus joined the race.
A few minutes after 3pm, Hanson Obua, the Minister of State for Sports also expressed his interest.
Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health and Lira City Woman MP also picked her nomination forms. This was through her Personal Assistant Geoege William Ssebamala.
Others are John Okot Amos, Bugahya County MP Pius Wakabi, Florence Asiimwe, the Masindi District Woman MP.
The Thirteen will now wait for the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the NRM party’s top organ to make a decision.
Besides the developments in NRM, the leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga through his official twitter said that the opposition will Thursday decide on the speakership race.
“The Shadow Cabinet agreed this morning to continue with consultations with other stakeholders ahead of the Opposition Caucus meeting on Thursday to agree on upcoming elections for Speaker of Parliament,” Mpuuga said.