By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The Northern Uganda Parliamentary groups that include 102 members from the Acholi, Lango and West Nile Parliamentary groups on Tuesday convened, discussed and made various resolutions on the speakership race and burial arrangements for the Rt Hon Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.
The Group also threatened not to turn up for election of the speaker if CEC fails to select a candidate from their regions.
“If CEC fails to select any candidate from among them, the 102 members of Parliament that form the Acholi,Lango and West Nile Parliamentary groups shall not turn up for the elections of the speaker on Friday the 25th of March 2022.We shall instead congregate at the Rt Hon Speaker”
The groups resolved that the position of the speaker of the 11th Parliament be reserved for Northern
“The position of the speaker of the 11th Parliament be reserved for Northern Uganda. Northern Uganda overwhelming voted for the NRM government in the recently concluded General elections in 2021. The speakership position was allocated based on election performance majorly attributed to Hon Jacob Oulanyah and regional balance.We have not got an opportunity to serve our country through this position.In addition, precedence of regional balance was recently demonstrated in the EALA by-elections by CEC.We expect the same to be maintained.” Their statement in parts
The three Parliamentary groups unanimously endorsed all persons who have expressed interest from the Acholi, Lango and West Nile sub-regions .
“We expect CEC to select one name amongst them who will be forwarded for election.If more than one name is selected from our list we demand for a meeting to come up with one name as the NRM flag bearer.”
They further asked for clear participation of cultural institutions, religious entities and local governments from the three sub-regions of Lango, Acholi and West Nile. Since the fallen Rt Hon Speaker who also doubled as the National Vice Chairperson for NRM in Northern Uganda covering these three sub-regions.
