By Rogers Wanambwa 

KIU, Main Campus – Government has confirmed that the new speaker of parliament will be elected before the fallen speaker Jacob Oulanyah is buried.

Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 of this Constitution, “no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant”.

To this effect, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has set today, Tuesday, as the date for expression of interest for the position of Speaker of Parliament following the passing of Jacob Oulanyah.

This will be followed by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) convening on Wednesday and caucus on Thursday.Consequently, the election of the Speaker will be conducted on Friday, as confirmed by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, while addressing journalists in Kampala.

"The sitting of Cabinet today at State House Entebbe, which President Museveni chaired, decided that Parliament of Ugandashall convene on Friday, March 25, 2022, to fill the vacancy of a Speaker," he said.

Meanwhile, in an earlier statement, Government Chief Whip and NRM Parliamentary Caucus chairperson Thomas Tayebwa announced that he had been instructed by President Yoweri Museveni, who is the NRM chairman, to call for a special caucus meeting on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 2 pm at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to discuss the issue of the Speaker.

“All members are required to undertake a COVID-19 test. This procedure will take place on Tuesday 22nd March 2022, 9:00am- 4:00 pm, and Wednesday 23rd March 2022, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, at Parliamentary Conference Hall. Only members who will have taken this test with the prescribed service provider at the Parliamentary Conference Hall will attend the caucus,” Mr Tayebwa added in a Monday afternoon statement.

According to The East African, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo is said to have on Sunday evening left Seattle, the United States of America, where Oulanyah died. Dollo, who is constitutionally mandated to conduct the election of Speaker, reportedly left behind the Democratic Party (DP) president, Norbert Mao, who is expected to return with Oulanyah's body.

Clause 4 of Article 81 relates to incoming lawmakers taking oaths of office, and of members of Parliament, in order to be eligible to vote, and be voted, as Speaker.

Source: News Agencies

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