MPs to elect new Speaker before next House sitting
Lawmakers are to elect a new Speaker of the 11th Parliament following the death of incumbent Jacob Oulanyah, according to the Constitution. Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 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”.
Clause 4 of Article 81 relates to incoming lawmakers taking oaths of office, and of Member of Parliament, in order to be eligible to vote, and be voted, as Speaker.
The Speaker’s office fell vacant after President Museveni yesterday confirmed that Oulanyah, a two-term deputy speaker, had passed on in Seattle, the capital of Washington state in the United States.
The Office of the Speaker is the executive head of the Legislature and the Speaker is the third top ranked in the national order of precedence.
