TIGHT RACE: NUP Retreats Next Week To Select Candidate For Spearkership

By ROBERT KAMUKAMA

KAMPALA-SHIFTEMEDIA- The race for speakership is getting hotter from all circles.

Apart from the rift from the NRM ruling part camp that has seen Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Jacob Oulanya pull ropes, the National Unity Platform is holding a retreat next week to decide on who they will front to contest for the Speakership race in the 11th Parliament.

Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, the NUP deputy president in charge of the Eastern Region revealed as he addressed the press at the NUP head offices in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb.

The NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine is currently out of the country on what the party says that he went for official duties, though insiders say he is out for Easter holidays and mobilisation.

“Next week we shall have a retreat and one of the key issues that we shall discuss is the speakership race which has dominated the media. We believe that we shall be able to come up with a resolution after the retreat and we shall inform you,” Nambeshe said.

Nambeshe said that the public should look out for a surprise as NUP might choose to front their own candidate, instead of supporting any of the candidates that have already expressed interest. He said that their party is not for sale and they will not be used by what he called ‘self-seeking’ individuals.

already opposition chief whip and Kira Municipality MP Hon Semujju Ibrahim Nganda has expressed his interest in the hotly contested seat.

“The party position is very clear, we have not yet announced that we shall support any of the candidates, you are not aware that NUP might have a candidate, we might make a surprise,” Nambeshe said.

“Those who are saying that we should support them, NUP is not for rent, we are a party that cherishes its norms.”

Nambeshe also noted that they will also discuss their next step in trying to secure the freedom of their detained supporters. He said that the party continues to demand the unconditional release of their people and they will agree on the next steps in this fight.

“We urge religious leaders to join us and hold special prayers wherever they are. As we remember Christ, let us also remember our slain fellows and those that are in detention over trumped-up charges,” Mpuuga said.