Oulanyah remains defiant as NRM decides

Mr Oulanyah

KAMPALA- Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has insisted he will chart a way forward on the raging contest for Speaker of the 10th Parliament once he receives an elaborate position from the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) today.
The contest between Mr Oulanyah and incumbent Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has attracted a bitter exchange between supporters of the two camps but Mr Oulanyah insists he will only give way upon communication from CEC.
President Museveni is today expected to present to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus resolutions of the CEC meeting that convened on Monday to vet the two NRM candidates for Speaker and six for Deputy Speaker job.
It is expected that Mr Museveni will announce a stay of the status quo with Ms Rebecca Kadaga maintaining her Speaker job and Mr Oulanyah as Deputy Speaker.

Mr Museveni, who presided over the Monday nine-hour meeting, is expected to validate CEC’s decision on the basis of avoiding further polarisation of NRM, considering the acrimonious campaign that Ms Kadaga and Mr Oulanyah have been locked in over the past month.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Mr Oulanyah said he will wait for the formal position of CEC today, before unveiling his next course of action.

The NRM Caucus will convene today at State House Entebbe with only one item on the agenda-determination of NRM candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th Parliament.

Asked if he was ready to withdraw in favour of his boss-turned fierce rival, Mr Oulanyah said: “Withdrawing? Who told you I am withdrawing? We submitted our papers to CEC, let’s wait for what CEC will communicate tomorrow [today).”

Mr Oulanyah said he would give a detailed response on Friday.
Sources that attended the CEC meeting on Monday told Daily Monitor Ms Kadaga and Mr Oulanyah were particularly warned over their war of words with Mr Museveni charged with restraining the protagonists.

Asked to confirm whether he had a meeting with Mr Museveni in regard to being persuaded to abandon his challenge of Ms Kadaga, Mr Oulanyah said: “No comment. Confirm it from the person who told you - I am even surprised that you are asking me that.”

The decision to ring-fence the two positions will certainly stir trouble with Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo vowing to contest for the Deputy Speaker while Buyaga County West MP Barnabas Tinkasiimire has vowed to mobilise against Mr Oulanyah’ s candidature.

Mr Ssekikubo yesterday told Daily Monitor that if Mr Oulanyah is nominated for Deputy Speaker-without his consent- the NRM will be abusing its own rules, a position he vowed to challenge.