The news of the death of Jacob Oulanyah quickly sparked off speculation on who could replace the deceased speaker — and former speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s name has come up.
Until May 2021, Kadaga was speaker of Parliament, having served in the ninth and 10th Parliaments as speaker and in the two previous parliaments as deputy speaker under Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi.
Last year, the NRM endorsed Oulanyah and rejected Kadaga’s reelection bid. (Read Story Here).
Kadaga defied Museveni’s NRM party and stood as independent. (Read Story Here).
But Kadaga lost to Oulanyah. (Read Story Here).
Museveni would later appoint Kadaga Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs. (Read Story Here).
But with Oulanyah now dead, and the election of speaker expected in coming weeks, if not days, it remains to be seen whether Kadaga will resign her ministerial job to run for speaker.
It also remains to be seen if Kadaga will seek the NRM’s support, if the ruling party will back her or if it will choose another person.
It is also not clear yet if Deputy Speaker Anita Annet Among will resign her current position to replace Oulanyah.
While it might be a period of mourning, some people are said to be getting in campaign mood since the election of a new speaker is now inevitable.
READ: Kadaga ‘in Tears’ Over Jacob Oulanyah’s Death
READ: Besigye Mourns Speaker Jacob Oulanyah
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WHAT A MOVING TRIBUTE! Deputy Speaker Anita Among Reveals Things She’ll Miss About Speaker Jacob Oulanyah in Emotional Tribute