IN making one of the most Illegal Address dubbed “State of Nation Address”, Public Records indicate Mukulu Tibuhaburwa threatening Judges over granting suspects Bail.In his illegal stand, he wants suspects detained forever until Judgement. TO THE CONTRALLY, No person has control or authority over Court in conduct of judicial roles. Judges and judicial officers must execute their tasks judiciously and exploit their judicial discretion in accordance with the law and procedure. The 1995 Uganda Constitution as ammended provides that every person accused of an offence regardless of which offence ,is presumed innocent until and only until proven guilty by a competent court. In case proven guilt of a crime,court must accord the accused a fair and speedy trial, with a right to defend him or herself. The law therefore avails opportunity to any accused person ,subject to the law to apply and benefit from the provision of attending trial whilst coming from home thus BAIL. Because one is presumed innocent until proved guilty, an accused person can apply to be released on Bail or even securing courts own bond with or without sureties. Sureties are persons that court accepts to stand for an accused person on congnisence that they will assist court in ensuring attendence of court for subsequent trial by the person applying to be released on Bail. It’s quite common law principle that bail must be availed an accused as distinguishable from civil law jurisdictions. A person occupying the office of the Presidency under Uganda laws can only pardon a convicted person who has been sentenced to serve a punishment provided by the law. A convicted person is one who has been Pronounced guilty of an offence by court and sentenced to serve a punishment for example imprisonment. In the entire criminal trial per our laws, no one except court has power over accused persons or their rights. It’s not a political favor to secure bail but it’s a matter of rights and law. Our Constitution does not permit any one to overthrow it and any such attempt requires Citizens to defend the Constitutional order. The Uganda regime has since made efforts to twist court system and trial into political weapons. They arrest any one and charge them without evidence. In so doing they seem intent on using Imaginary charges to keep political actors in detention even without a conviction.if Tibuhaburwa or his cronies wanted Justice ,they would equip INVESTIGATION entities like CID to quickly investigate cases and convince court for a conviction based on evidence . Our laws have no timeline for a criminal trial. In essence even in days,with evidence court can try an offence and pronounce itself. Why is then TIBUHABURWA fighting against bail instead of promoting speedy criminal trial. It’s an outright attack on the rule of law and Criminal Justice. We detest all these illegal threats at the Judiciary aimed at incarcerating innocent Ugandan’s instead of promoting speedy trials. Uganda belongs to CITIZENS NOT LEADERS and criminal Justice is executed on behalf of Uganda not leaders that is why cases are titled,UGANDA Versus So and so. Tibuhaburwa’s efforts are thus ILLEGAL and Provocative ,Wake up Uganda and say NO!.
The writer is a lawyer by profession and Ugandan MP representing Kyadondo East constituency
Henry Mpiima being congratulated upon winning Deputy Speaker flag at Kamwokya. Centre is mayor Mberaze and on his left is Rehema Fugge
BY MARY KAKOOZA NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
ON June 1st 2021, Lubaga Division Urban Councilors convened to elect their Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Opposition National Unity platform (NUP) which forms the biggest part of the council with 64 out of 95 councilors fronted Busega councilor Rehema Ssanyu Fugge as their flag bearer against NRM’s Musa Mbaziira whose party has only 11 councilors. Before polls, it was crystal clear that NUP would massively win this seat but shockingly, it was otherwise! Kabowa councilor Mbaziira surprisingly defeated NUP candidate with 4 votes. Mbaziira got 49 against Fugge’s 45 votes prompting the Mengo court presiding magistrate to declare NRM’s Mbaziira new Lubaga Municipality Speaker. This is the gist of the reasons, why Party bosses at Kamwokya NUP Headquarters have picked interest in this election and urgently want investigations to find out, why the majority councilors in the council lost speakership to the minority party. In part I of this story, we aid NUP NEC with very important tips which will guide the party into their investigations.
RONALD SSEMAGANDA ISSUE Before any councillor showed interest in the Speakership bid, this young man Ronald Ssemaganda who represents Kasubi-Namungoona came out. He approached a number of councilors not only in NUP but even in other political parties having councilors in Lubaga Division Urban council.
SSEMAGANDA: Was ready for the job
Those approached first was Rehema Fugge who embraced Ssemaganda’s candidature. Being a senior councillor, Fugge helped Ssemaganda to reach out to other councilors so that he gets endorsed.
SENIOR COUNCILORS PLOT AGAINST SSEMAGANDA As his name started sinking into the the hearts of Lubaga councilors, a group of councilors led by one Musa Lusembo, Richard Jjuuko Kayima, Sharifah Nakitende among others, calling themselves ‘Senior councilors’ mobilized themselves against Ssemaganda a fellow NUP member saying, ‘a junior councilor can’t be our speaker.’ Shockingly, NRM’s Mbaziira was silently bankrolling this NUP clique to block new comer Ronald Ssemaganda who proved a major threat to his Speakership bid.
ENTER REHEMA FUGGE INTO THE RACE Having been a Ssemaganda campaigner, no one would expect Fugge to change her mind and contest against him. However, insiders say, her name was identified by Mbaziira and a clique of the so called senior councilors who later sold her name to Mayor Mberaze. It’s true, Mberaze endorsed her candidature but little did he know that he was tricked. Why Fugge? Like we said earlier, inside Mbaziira’s game plan, he wanted a ‘vote spoiler’ so that Ssemaganda does not go through during party primaries. With a group of senior councilors, they talked about fronting a one Henry Mpima against Ssemaganda.
SWEARING-IN: Rehema Fugge
However, this idea was changed, fearing that Mpiima is more ambitious and would spoil the deal. So this is how Fugge’s name came in. She is an average lady who was only comfortable with her councilor position. The idea was sold to mayor Mberaze by the likes of Musa Lusembo, Richard Jjuuko Kayima and Sharifah Nakitende. Mberaze became the top campaigner not knowing, it was a project by the wise men and women. For starters, the three above mentioned councilors voted Mbaziira Speaker in the Ssebuggwawo council, although it was Kayima who proposed Sharifah Nakitende’s name to contest against Mbaziira and she was seconded by Musa Lusembo. The two and their candidate, didn’t vote for her. Mbaziira had a landslide victory. We shall come back to this, later. Back to mayor Mberaze, he picked a rift between him and the two Lubaga members of Parliament, Aloysius Mukasa (Lubaga South) and Abubaker Kawalya (Lubaga North) who had identified a competent Ronald Ssemaganda. Mbaziira camp started playing their cards to make sure, Fugge wins a party ticket.
HOW LUSEMBO & MBAZIIRA AMBUSHED MAYOR MBERAZE Days before swearing in of Lubaga Division urban councilors, a section of ‘senior councilors’ headed by NUP’s Musa Lusembo convened for a meeting at Jevine Hotel located near Pope Paul Memorial Hotel Ndeeba. This meeting was attended by Mayor Zaccy Mberaze. Lusembo was the chairman. Lusembo gathered NUP councilors and invited NRM’s Mbaziira to address them and ask for votes. Mbaziira was given over 20 minutes compared to Ssemaganda who Lusembo gave only 5 minutes.
NRM CLEVER BOY: Speaker Mbaziira
While speaking to NUP councilors, Mbaziira proudly bragged of how he had financed Lusembo and other senior councilors during their campaigns. A money magnet Mbaziira who is linked to powerful men in State House said, “Senior councilors, please be my witness to these new Honourable members. You know me as a top lobbyist and I got money for all of you during campaigns (each about UGX 9 M). If you elect me your Speaker, I will continue with that giving hand, mobilize funds for you after all this money has no Museveni’s portrait.” One of these NUP councilors reportedly said, “Yes you gave us money Mr. Mbaziira but you still owe me UGX 1M…,” prompting other councilors to laugh. The NRM man just smiled and said, “I will give you more, just do the needful.” Throughout Mbaziira’s address, these senior NUP councilors did not object ever being bankrolled by NRM’s Mbaziira during their recent campaigns. We are reliably informed, many senior councilors in Lubaga ‘borrowed’ money from Mbaziira during Party primaries to help them during party tickets scuffle. During this meeting, he hinted on forgiving them this loan if they elect him Speaker which must have excited many. NUP meeting ended with NRM’s Mbaziira scoring highly. A certain angry Authority councilor sitting at City Hall approached Mayor Mberaze and asked him to explain why he allowed Lusembo to invite NRM’s Mbaziira in NUP meeting. “Don’t you think you will be looked as the ones campaigning for NRM? You have given Ssemaganda only five minutes and Mbaziira over 20 minutes. Mayor, what was the motive of this meeting? I really don’t know what you are driving.” Said a tough speaking female Authority NUP council who smelt a rat!
MBERAZE & FUGGE ACCOMODATES NUP COUNCILORS AT NRM TOP BOSS HOTEL On Friday 28th May 2021, NUP held party primaries to pick flag bearers for speakership in Kampala. A day before, Lubaga councilors had taken their oath of allegiance at Lubaga division headquarters. We are informed, after the swearing in function, mayor Mberaze and Fugge took a group of about 38 NUP councilors to a Bweyogerere – Namboole Hotel allegedly owned by NRM top man Mamerto Mugerwa where they spent that night of 27th May 2021.
LUBAGA MAYOR: Mberaze
There are questions, as to why they chose a hotel owned by NRM man to accommodate NUP councilors. Insiders say, the hotel was identified by Mbaziira’s people who felt comfortable with NUP councilors being accommodated from here. Each councilor got a brown envelope so that he or she votes Fugge, the next day. Ssemaganda tried to reach out to these councilors but in vain, something which worked for Mbaziira.
FUGGE WINS TICKET A few minutes to the elections at Kamwokya, a coaster carrying NUP councilors who had slept at Mamerito’s Hotel arrived at Kamwokya. They were accompanied by mayor Mberaze. A crestfallen Ssemaganda tried to talk to them but openly told him they were for Fugge. She won with 38 votes (those who slept at the Hotel) and Ssemaganda polled 25. On declaring Fugge a winner, party in NRM’s Mbaziira camp started. “It’s a done deal. Mbaziira will be speaker come June 1st 2021.” Said a one NRM councilor who was well conversant about the deal. Indeed he won and NUP Party bosses looks like they can’t just let this defeat go unquestioned.
In part II of this shocking story, with facts, we are going to give you names of Lubaga councilors who betrayed NUP a the day Speaker was elected. That list on social media is fake. We shall also show you, why Mayor Mberaze MUST explain to party bosses about the deal between NRM’s Mbaziira and NUP’s Fugge which cost the party the Speaker’s job. We will unmask for you, who was paid how much, FDC’s Ssebuggwawo involvement and why MPs Mukasa and Kawalya’s hands are CLEAN.
For comments/views, send us an sms or whatsapp 0792735159
NEWLY sworn-in Namungoona-Kasubi zone councillor Ronald Ssemaganda is set to eat big at Lubaga Municipality. Hon. Aloysius Mukasa MP for Lubaga South and Hon. Abubaker Kawalya MP for Lubaga North have officially endorsed and identified him for Speaker Lubaga Municipality and called upon all division councils to elect Ssemaganda their Speaker. 96 Lubaga Municipality Councilors will on Monday June 1st 2021 will elect their Speaker and deputy Speaker. But before this, NUP top leadership will today Friday May 28th 2021 hold party primaries at Party Headquarters in Kamwokya for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Speakers and Deputy speakers. These includes Authority Speaker and Deputy Speaker who will preside over counci meetings at City hall where Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago sits. For starters, NUP has the biggest number of Councilors at City Hall. Speaker and Deputy are set to come from this party which is led by Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi. Meanwhile, it’s important to note that all NUP Councilors from the five divisions which includes; Makindye, Lubaga, Kampala Central, Nakawa and Kawempe will all have primaries today Friday ahead of general elections on Monday.
LUBAGA SPEAKER: SSEMANDA IN COMFORTABLE LEAD In the race for Speakership at Lubaga division is a one Rehema Fugge who represents Kitaka, Kigwanya and Kabaale in Busega IV. We are reliably informed, she is bankrolled by Lubaga Mayor Zaccy Mberaze aka Taata Namuli. However all indicators show, youngster Ronald Ssemaganda will humiliate Fugge in tomorrow’s Kamwokya NUP Primaries. A graduate from Makerere University with Bachelors in Education, Ssemaganda is Director of Namungona High School, a family owned school. Ssemaganda is a young brother to newly appointed Gomba NUP MP Saazi. His candidacy for Speaker ship is endorsed by both Lubaga NUP MPs saying, he is the best candidate for the job. Lubaga division has 96 newly sworn-in Councilors. Of these, 64 are from opposition NUP Party, NRM has 11, DP 3, Independents 13 and FDC 5. According to Hon. Kawalya, “Before great people of Lubaga North elected me their MP in January this year, I was the Speaker KCCA. I very much know what being a speaker calls for.” “Yes all candidates are good but Ronald Ssemaganda is far better for the job. We have come to deliver, we want Lubaga to enjoy the fruits of NUP leadership.We are fronting Ssemaganda who will perfectly carry the cross.” Said Hon. Kawalya. This former KCCA councilor for Lubaga North has revealed to us that, Ssemaganda is qualified for the job, approachable, transparent and loyal to the struggle. “He will be a speaker for all Councillors, we call upon our councillors to elect Ssemaganda and we change the face of Lubaga. As senior leaders in Lubaga, Ssemaganda has our blessings.” MP Kawalya, who ousted ‘class monitor’ Moses Kasibante, told this website. Yesterday night, we were reliably informed that, Hon. Kawalya met Councilors in preparation for today’s party primaries. His colleague Aloysius Mukasa MP Lubaga South is on the same page with Hon. Kawalya over Ronald Ssemaganda as his choice for Lubaga Speaker. We are informed, Hon. Mukasa the whole of Wednesday engaged Councillors, asking them to vote for Ssemaganda. Mayor Mberaze looks to be defeated. He has now threatened to appoint Rehema Fugge deputy mayor, if councilors reject her Speaker bid today. Watch the Space!
IT’S now official, Dr. Jacob L. Oulanyah is the Speaker 11th Parliament. He has been elected by 310 members of Parliament at the 1st sitting today at Kololo Airstrip.
Out going Speaker Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga came second with 197 votes and FDC Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda with only 15 votes. The total votes cast were 524, only 2 invalid votes.
“I therefore now declare Hon. Jacob Oulanyah who has obtained the highest number of votes as the Speaker parliament of Uganda.” Declared Chief justice His lordship Owinyi Dollo who presided over the election of Speaker of Parliament.
We congratulate the new Speaker and wish you goodluck
MEN EAT BIG: Speaker Oulanyah and John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. JPAM is bouncing back
NEWS EDITOR newseditor.info@gmail.com
THE ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has today morning betrayed women who have been at the forefront of supporting President Museveni and his political party. The only lady who has been leading one of the three arms making up the government, has been locked out, giving out this office to a man. President Museveni, deputised by Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi are leading the Executive. Chief Justice His Lordship Alphonse Owiny-Dollo heads Judiciary and deputised by Richard Butera. The third arm of government, the Legislature has also fallen to Hon. Dr. Jacob L. Oulanyah. Women have been officially locked out. In today’s CEC meeting, party leaders like Alhaj Moses Kigongo raised this serious issue of gender balance but other leaders disregarded his reasoning. This comes at a time when another woman, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba is set to lose her office of NRM Secretary General as President Museveni is returning Rt. Hon. John Patrick Amama Mbabazi to steer on Plot 10, Kyadondo. All indicators show, Mbabazi is set to be appointed both Prime minister and NRM Secretary General. Now the only vacant position which President Museveni might compensate to women, is that of the Vice president. State House circles say, The Head of State is considering Justine Kasule Lumumba for this seat, being a staunch Catholic. His only worry, she is unpopular in Busoga. It’s only Kadaga who has full support in Busoga and went through an election which she massively won. But Museveni a protestant, can’t appoint a prime minister, a vice president and now a Speaker when they are all protestants. It’s a tricky puzzle for president Museveni, dropping a popular Kadaga is one of a great mistake, Muzeeyi must avoid. We are reliably told, President is now busy playing his cards to see how to calm down Kadaga, a lady who thinks could have beaten Oulanyah hands down if they had gone to polls. It’s a tricky situation for Muzeeyi, women are looking at NRM as a user after it has chosen to sideline them and gave out all juicy offices to men. Let’s watch the space!
In the photo: NRM Party boss Yoweri Museveni with Rt. Hon. Kadaga and CEC members at State House yesterday
BY ISSA KATO
IN 2017 a debate on the lifting of the age limit bill ensued and took center stage in the 10th parliament almost causing a constitutional crisis. The bill which was tabled by former Igara East Mp Hon. Raphael Magezi was championed by a crop of young turks in Parliament and indeed at the end the article 102 clause 5 was scrapped remove the cap on the age limit for political contenders both young and old as long as they are adults. While promoters of the bill felt the power of championing a matter in the interest of king makers and the powers that be, it was a grave political miscalculation although it had short-term financial yields as all NRM party members were paid handsomely to pass the historical bill which was to eventually aid Gen. Museveni’s grip on the throne. The aftermath impact of the age limit debate and subsequent voting perterns are something the current NRM caucus members ought to pay strategic attention to or they help themselves find an exit route from the national assembly. The 10th parliament NRM legislators who took a blanket bandwagon decision to vote for the removal of the age limit against the will of the people they represent could not make it to the 11th parliament.
Most of them lost in party primaries and even many of those who took advantage of the party electoral weaknesses to grab the flag lost in the general elections including in areas of strong NRM base.
On the other hand, NRM legislators who remained liberal and represented the views of their constituents in that debate were rewarded with another term. For example, in Sembabule hon Sekikibo Theodore who was against the bill retained his seat, while wealthy Sam Kutesa saved himself the humiliation and retired from elective politics. Raphael Magezi, the architect of the bill who was shortly after it’s passing was wise and declined to contest, while many of his comrades like former Koboko woman MP Anite Evelyn lost their seats. Like Sekikibo, other prominent Mps who opposed the bandwagon like Hon Tinkasimire, Wilfred Nuwagaba were able to retain their seats by public approval.
In Hoima district, Hon Pius Wakabi who voted as sent by his constituents of Bugahya county was in fact rewarded by bouncing back to the house unopposed.
SG Lumumba calls for a caucus meeting today
If the the current NRM caucus is to start on a credibility ticket to handle legislative business and remain in high esteem of their electorates it is important for them to individually study the nature of decision to make while chosing a Speaker for the 11th parliament right from caucus to the house. With the precence set by the age limit bill and the infamous OTT tax, it is important for individual NRM Mps to remember that their constituents are watchful and actually have leaned to be punitive to premitive political bandwagonry that if not careful many will procure their exit tickets in their maiden deliberation if they make mistakes with the Speakership race which by public opinion should be won by the Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga both at caucus level and in the National assembly if no underhand machinations are employed by her opponents!
The writer Issa Kato is a former NRM aspirit for MP Kampala Central
PRESSURE mounts camp Oulanyah as the Central Executive Committee (CEC), which is the NRM top organ has for the second time refused to give Jacob Oulanyah, the speaker job on a silver plater in today’s hot meeting sitting at State House, Entebbe. Meeting has been adjourned to tomorrow Sunday at 8am, when CEC is expected to make a final decission before Party Caucus sits. Oulanyah’s camp had much expectation that CEC would clear their man so that they dont go into an election which is tricky to win. God has however not answered their prayer. His chief campaigner, former Kiboga district woman MP Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa said Speaker deal was sealed in 2016. But from what transpired in the first CEC sitting on Monday this week, and from what has transpired today at State House, former Government chief whip must have lied. Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga one of the contestants is on record accusing Nankabirwa for spreading lies and blackmailing CEC on how the 11th Parliament speaker was settled in 2016 during a CEC meeting. According to our sources at State House Entebbe, today’s meeting was chaired by NRM Vice chairman Haji Moses Kigongo. Party chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni attended the meeting and was listening.
THE RULING National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leadership has stopped the outgoing Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa from participating in the organization of the primary election for Speaker of Parliament. Nankabirwa has been the Caucus Chairperson for 5 years by the virtue of her ministerial position. She has positioned herself as the number one promoter of the outgoing deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah. An official memo sent out by the NRM Chairperson Electoral Commission, Tanga Odoi on Friday evening, did not include the outgoing Caucus Chairperson in any activity. Oulanyah and his camp had banked all their hopes in Nankabirwa to make sure Rebecca Kadaga is rejected by the Central Executive Committee and even Caucus. Now it is only President Yoweri Museveni and Tanga Odoi who are going to handle the election of the Speaker. According to Tanga’s communication, MPs are expected to arrive at State Hous between 8AM and 9AM on Sunday. Second on the agenda is President Yoweri Museveni, who is the Chairman of the party, calling the meeting to order at 10:00AM. It will be followed by the traditional singing of the National Anthem which has been allocated 5 minutes and meant to end at 10:05AM. 10:05AM-10:20AM is allocated for prayers to be followed by communication from the chair to last 40 minutes until 11:00AM. NRM Electoral Commission will take charge from 11:00AM to specifically conduct the election for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. The results will be declared by Tanga at 2:00PM.
OPPOSITION political parties in Uganda have sounded war drums ahead of Speaker of Parliament elections on Monday 24th May 2021. They have vowed, if ruling NRM error and bring a ‘stubborn’ Jacob Oulanyah for Speaker who has already threatened to suffocate opposition members of Parliament, they will have remained with no other option but to make Parliament ungovernable for him. Speaking to a section of journalists at Parliament on Thursday, Justice Forum president who doubles as Bugiri Municipality legislator Asuman Basalirwa said, they are aware Oulanyah and a clique of his supporters are fighting Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga because she has been giving space to opposition legislators to speak on behalf of their voters. “Under which rules of procedure are opposition MPs not supposed to represent their voters in Parliament? If those fronting him think he can shut our mouth in Parliament, then we are going for a war.” Declares Hon. Asuman Basalirwa. He vowed, “Parliament will be a battle ground. We will make Parliament unruly and government ungovernable for president Museveni and his people.” The former Makerere University Guild President said, Oulanyah cant turn Parliament into his home, Members of Parliament have a right to legislate and raise matters of National importance on the floor. “A speaker who thinks he can stop MPs from airing out issues affecting their constituencies, a speaker who thinks he will lock out the opposition Mps, is just day dreaming. To hell with dictstorship in the Parliament of Uganda. Let NRM make a mistake and front Oulanyah who has already threatened our MPs, we will fight to protect and defend the constitution. It will not be business as usual. ” Said Hon. Basalirwa who is a lawyer by profession. Oulanyah is on record for blocking opposition MPs from submitting in the plenary. He is remembered one day, for having blocked then Kampala Woman MP Nabillah Naggayi while he was presiding over the August House. Nabilah had taken to the floor to raise a matter of National importance but as soon as she started her submission, ‘Speaker’ Oulanyah barked at her and ordered to take her seat. Asuman Basalirwa said if this behaviour is a ticket on which a clique of NRM members are fronting Oulanyah for Speaker, that is a bad deal. What Ugandans experienced in 2017 during debate to ammend article 102 (b) in Parliament was nothing compared to what 11th Parliament is set to experience. “We will turn Parliament into a battle ground, we will not tolerate that arrogance. President Museveni and his people must stand warned.” Noted Hon. Basalirwa. In the same line, 10th Parliament DP whip who entered 11th Parliament on NUP ticket Hon. Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu recalls when he stood up during the plenary to read out names of suffering Ugandans, but Oulanyah ruled him out. The Kalungu West legislator said, “Oulanyah is too biased. He thinks he can be used to phase out opposition in Parliament. That mission is impossible. He can instead create more confusion and rifts among MPs. Those fronting him have personal reasons. Him and his funders will lose this war.” Oulanyah has been branding most MPs as substandard and while picking papers at NRM EC headquarters on Friday, he promised to raise the bar in Parliament. Analysts say, Oulanyah is targeting opposition MPs and will deny them time to legislate. On Friday night, while featuring on 107.9fm Pearl of Africa radio political talkshow, newly elected Makindye East youthful MP Derrick Nyeko who is remembered for leading youth riots in Makindye said that Oulanyah is NRM’s worst mistake that the Opposition should swiftly rectify.
A REKNOWN top Muslim owned radio station in Kampala capital, Uganda has carried out a free and fair opinion poll to ascertain, who is likely to win the race for Speakership if elections are conducted today. It suggests that Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga grabs the lead with 85%, Jacob Oulanyah 11%, Ibrahim Ssemujju 2.1% and DP man Ssebamala got 1%. Next week on Monday May 2021, 529 newly sworn-in members of the 11th Parliament will convene at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala to elect both their Speaker and deputy Speaker.
YELLOW MOTHER: Kadaga at NRM Party EC headquarters in Kampala where she was on Wednesday this week, cleared to contest for Speaker Parliamentof Uganda
This comes after MPs took the oath of allegiance and oath of Member of Parliament, a function which lasted for four days from Monday May 17th 2021 to May 20th 2021. Through their popular ‘Omukeeze’ radio program which airs from Monday to Friday 6:30am to 10am on 94.1fm radio Bilal, a station owned by Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) at Old Kampala, show hosts put out a question to hundreds of their listeners/voters to call in and choose who they want for Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda. This radio stretches to parts of Westnile, covers Eastern region (Busoga and Bugishu), Buganda and parts of Western. It is among the few selected radios with a bigger coverage. Many dont go beyond their regions of origin. For radio Bilal, it does. Callers who voted Speaker came from different parts of the country. Others voted online since this radio can be accessed online.
HOW THE OPINION POLL WAS CARRIED OUT Leading show host Shamie Ssekatawa commonly known as ‘Super lady’ put out a question and opened studio lines for callers to make their choice. In her sweet voice, Shamie Ssekatawa said, “So far, there are four candidates aspiring for the Speaker’s job. NRM is yet to choose who between Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga and Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah will carry the party flag. FDC has Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality MP) and Richard Ssebamala (Bukoto central) is the DP candidate.” Hosting the show alongside senior journalists Ssalongo Hassan Male and Ali Mugalula (Brig. Mzee Ssekirembeka), Ssekatawa read out four names: Rebecca Kadaga, Jacob Oulanyah, Ibrahim Ssemujju and Richard Ssebamala. “Our lines are now open. Call 0759058666, 0392002493 and tell us who your Member of Parliament should vote for as Speaker of the 11th Parliament.” Callers who included Paul from Kisekka, Mudathiru Ali of Makindye, called in to vote. Out of over 70 callers, Oulanyah got 3 votes, Ssemujju 6 and for Ssebamala, he failed to get a single vote. Every time, show hosts would remind callers names of the other candidates in the race, but it’s like, they didnt see potential in them to lead Parliament. Callers branded Kadaga as a true human rights defender, incorruptible, Impartial and a performer. “She is a speaker for all. Always neutral and fair while presiding over the August House. Oulanyah is short tempered, can easily box an MP. Our MPs should not vote for boxer but a leader for all.” Said a caller from Westnile who directed his NRM MP to vote for Kadaga. Other callers talked to, said two of the three arms of government can’t be led by on region (Northern Uganda) saying this will be a grave mistake. Apart from the Executive which is led by President Museveni from the Western part of the country, if Oulanyah wins Parliament,another Northerner Owinyi Dollo will be leading Judiciary and Legislature. This means, other regions will be left out. Callers said, Speaker of Parliament should be a listening leader citing and incident when Oulanyah barked at then Kampala woman MP who was raising a matter of National importance and ordered her to sit down. “We have not sent our MPs in a war zone. Oulanyah is good at commanding in a battle field. Parliament is like a home, all legislators must be listened to. They are our representatives. Any one who will shut up our voices isn’t Speaker material.” Said Kitikyamuwogo, a member of NRM media radio Callers. NRM callers accused Oulanyah of hiding when the party badly needed his presence during the age limit debate. “He absconded from duty when we wanted him most. Rt. Hon. Kadaga came in to save the situation. As NRM party we scored when Oulanyah was absent. With Kadaga still at Parliament as Speaker and Mr. Museveni as our President, NRM is secure.” Said Lutwama Afrika. Later on Thursday night, on the same radio, Ismail Kalumba Butannaziba a political talkshow host conducted another opinion poll. Through his ‘Bwe byali si bwebiri’ talkshow aired from 10pm to 12am, out of 50 Callers, 45 voted Kadaga, 3 Ssemujju, Oulanyah 1 and Ssebamala 1. Among the callers who voted Kadaga were: Abbey Muweesi, Lubwama Mukubabyasi, Hon. John Ken Lukyamuzi (Former Lubaga South MP) and Moses e Kisoga.
