Kampala Central Member of Parliament Hon Hajj Muhammad Nsereko has conceded defeat and congratulated Omoro County MP Jacob Oulanyah upon being reelected Speaker of the 10th Parliament.
NRM’s Oulanyah thrashed Independent Nsereko with a massive 72% in the election witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni. He polled 300 of the total 415.
Nsereko said he was fairly defeated.
“In democracy there is always a winner and a loser and a winner. I congratulate my brother Rt. Hon Oulanyah for taking the day. He won and indeed democracy has spoken.”
Muhammad Nsereko speaks to some of the MPs after losing the election
The Kampala MP enthusiastically entered the race to challenge the status quo and adamantly turned the requests by the ruling NRM government to give way for Oulanyah to run unopposed like Speaker Kadaga.
Oulanyah initially fancied the Main (Speaker’s) seat but his party and Chairman Yoweri Museveni reigned over him to remain in his seat as Deputy.
NRM insiders say that the President was touched, noticing Oulanyah’s dismay when he was told to step aside.
“The President had to make sure that (Oulanyah) doesn’t miss the Deputy Speaker’s seat as well. That’s why he is here,” said a source.
Oulanyah handed Instruments of Office
Commenting on his triumph, Oulanyah said “This election for the Deputy Speaker has done me one big favor to me. I have learned humility. I’m humbled by all your votes.”
On Thursday when the first sitting of Parliament convened to elect the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker both Oulanyah and Nsereko seemed neck to neck as MPs chanting both names.
When Rebecca Kadaga, who had just been sworn-in as Speaker, called for the nomination of Deputy Speaker, Oulanyah was the first to be named by the State Minister of Animal Husbandry Bright Rwamirama.
The motion to nominate Oulanyah was seconded by Oyam South Member of Parliament Betty Amongi who is also the Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Women’s Association that boasts of about 150 members.
The results were finally declared by Kadaga at 15:30, giving Oulanyah the victory of 300 votes against Nsereko’s 115.
The presence of President at the chambers was however viewed by many opposition members who were strongly behind Nsereko, as a plot to scare the NRM members to vote for Oulanyah.