SPEAKER RACE; Kadaga favorite as 11th Parliament goes to polls next week

By Denis Okot
The 11th Parliament will elect a new speaker next week with Kamuli Woman MP, Hon Rebecca Kadaga expected to trounce her rival Hon Jacob Oulanyah.
 
After the swearing-in of Members of Parliament, the first business conducted by the new Parliament is the election of the Speaker of Parliament, which has been scheduled for Monday 24th May 2021.
The Constitution, in Article 82 provides for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.Article 82 (2) says that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall be elected by members of Parliament from among their number.
(3) A person shall not be qualified to be elected a Speaker or Deputy Speaker if he or she is a Vice President or a Minister.
(4) Subject to article 81(4) 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.
(5) The Chief Justice or a judge designated by the Chief Justice shall preside at an election of a Speaker, and the Speaker shall preside at an election of the Deputy Speaker.
The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been scheduled to be held at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.