Among, Tayebwa to lead 11th Parliament

Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament, Anita Annet Among has been voted Speaker of Parliament after garnering 401 votes against the 66 of her competitor, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa (Jeema, Bugiri Municipality).

Among replaces former Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah who passed away last Sunday in Seattle, Washington, United States of America.

Among also presided at the election of Hon. Thomas Tayebwa (NRM, Ruhinda County) who defeated his Kioga County counterpart, Hon. Moses Okot P’Bitek to become Deputy Speaker.

Hon Tayebwa garnered 379 votes against the 82 obtained by MP Okot.

President Yoweri Museveni who under the Oath Act is supposed to swear in the Speaker and Deputy, eulogized Oulanyah as a uniting leader.

“I extend condolences to the people of Uganda and the family on the untimely death of the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah; the late Oulanyah had followed the NRM line and succeeded in uniting our people in Northern Uganda,” said Museveni.

He called for the amendment of the Constitution which he said has disrupted the mourning of the late Oulanyah with a requirement for the election of a new Speaker.

“This [Constitutional requirement of election of Speaker immediately] is a consequence of copying European things blindly; I think we should find a way of sorting it out so that we don’t repeat the same madness,” he said.

The President, who congratulated the duo upon their election, slammed conspiracists who are alleging foul play in Oulanyah’s death.

“People who say Oulanyah was killed, the Police will come for you; I did not know that Oulanyah was sick until he went to Dubai; for somebody who is educated to go and say…you must come and help the police; we cannot go on with this indiscipline, it is not constructive at all,” he said.

Among, who has been Deputy Speaker, resigned her position earlier today following her endorsement by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party caucus for Speaker.

In her acceptance speech, Among paid glowing tribute to former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, who she described as her mentor.

“…this is a day I never imagined would happen this soon especially because I believed that for the next five or ten years, I would have a strong mentor and leader to hold my hand, little did I know that God had a different script,” she said.

“The times have been challenging, especially the last few days; the grief, sorrow and pain have taken a toll on us; the worries and the struggles; we have also witnessed your courage, your resilience, and the generosity of your spirit to run the course of the Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah’s vision,” she added.

Among also outlined her vision for Parliament.

“The leadership of the 11th Parliament will continue to be guided by a vision to have a people centered Parliament that is anchored on evidence based debates; we shall base all our decisions on facts as presented to the House…reason and sound logic shall be used in tabling our positions,” she said.

MP Basalirwa conceded defeat, pledging to work with Hon Among.

“I want to thank the 66 MPs who voted for me; the process has been open, has been fair and has been democratic; I congratulate you madam Speaker; if you think I can add value to your leadership, I am available [to offer my support],” he said.

Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, who presided over the election as required by law, mourned the late Oulanyah, and urged MPs to promote unity in the country.

“On behalf of the Judiciary and on my own behalf, I wish to convey my condolences to the family, to His Excellency the President and to all Members of Parliament; we own this country collectively, no body owns this country more than the other, let’s therefore, contribute to its development by carrying out our duties as prescribed in the constitution,” he said.

In his speech, Tayebwa paid tribute to former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, and also extended an olive branch to his competitor.

“I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the family, H.E the President, all Members of Parliament and the country; we shall take solace and learn from him,” he said.

“I want to congratulate my brother [Hon Moses] Okot P’Bitek for a spirited fight; I promise that I will be reaching out to you to look at the ideas you have to incorporate into our program,” he added.