By Cedrick Mwesigwa
As open campaigns for the 12th parliamentary speakership race publicly gained intensity, arrangements for the background engagement were equally being mooted in a move aimed at salvaging an incumbent speaker Anita Among’s legislative highest seat which his closet challenger Nobert Mao is determined to assume at all cost.
The architecture of the said arrangements according to some NRM government officials (names will not be disclosed), were some of insiders in the corridors of state power that are pro speaker Among reelection bid.
The meeting according to the highly placed sources, was held last month at Mao’s residence in Kampala where a team of Among’s representatives had gone to discuss why it was very important for Mao to step down from the speakership race for their woman who is also the 2nd NRM National Chairperson (Women).
Reliable sources have exclusively told Blazer News Times that part of the deal laid on the table before the Democratic Party (DP) president general, was an option of lobbying for him the prime minister’s slot should he accepted to leave the hotly contested speakership race for the Bukedea district Woman MP.
This news Website understands from the sources that the deal was turned down by Mao, insisting that his was deliberately aiming at the speakership seat to redefine the sanctity of parliament which seem to have gone in limbo.
Sources say that Mao rejected other given alternative options, insisting that his ambition was no a one man’s agenda but rather a reflection of set of ideas for several people behind him.
When they insisted on convincing him according to the sources, the incoming Laroo Pece MP moved to setting for them heavy conditions which up to date are yet to be fulfilled, thus leading to a flopped deal.
This engagement was held when the NRM party chairman Gen. Museveni had just extended an invitation for Mao who is also a minister in his government to attend his ongoing party parliamentary caucus at Kyankwanzi.
Some political observers had since then told Blazer News Times that Mao’s clearance to have a direct engagement with the ruling party MPS who also happen to be the speakership voters, is not any good news to the incumbent speaker Among who is banking on their vote to retain the seat, considering the complex evolving Ugandan political landscape with emerging dynamics day in, day out.
Six aspirants have so far expressed interest in the seat including; the Aringa South MP Alion Odria, Mbale District Woman MP Lydia Wanyoto, Bukono MP also the State Minister for Housing Persis Namuganza, Masindi District Woman MP Florence Asiimwe, Amo g and Mao.
Whether speaker Among will survive chairman Mao’s spirited fight for the august house top chair or not, only time can tell.
