By Markson Omagor
KAMPALA
Rt. Honorable Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Alitwala Rebecca yesterday 24th March 25, 2021officially launched her bid to retain the office of Speaker of Parliament.
However, out of the 65 Members of Parliament who attended the function, senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament were conspicuously missing in action.
As if that was not enough, opposition MPs were also scantily represented
The National Unity Platform (NUP) of Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi had only Joseph Ssewungu in attendance.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) known for usually rallying behind Kadaga had only 5 MPs in the launch. These included Gilbert Olanya, Muhindo Harold, Atkins Katushabe, Cecilia Ogwal and Francis Mwijukye.
The Democratic Party (DP) and Jeema were no show at all. The other Independents at the show also known to be strong supporters of Kadaga were Abdu Katuntu and Elijah Okupa.
The absence of senior NRM MPs including all Ministers and the Chief Whip is sending cold chills to the Kadaga camp. Recently, Ruth Nankabirwa openly told off Kadaga that the CEC position was that 2021-2026 is time for Jacob Oulanyah. Ofwono Opondo, the government and NRM Mouthpiece was also recently quoted saying Kadaga has behaved as if she was not NRM.
Meanwhile, FDC has Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda vying for the same seat meaning FDC MPs and most probably many opposition MPs will vote for him.
Kadaga’s base now seems to be in the Independent MPs like Okupa, Katuntu, Okabe, Suzan Amero, and Tinkasimire Barnabas.
Kadaga is facing her stiffest challenge so far coming from her Deputy, Jacob Oulanyah who is apparently the choice of NRM Party. It is said that in 2016, CEC sat and convinced Oulanyah to step down in favour of Kadaga on condition that he will be the next Speaker.
