KAMPALA.The ruling National Resistance Movement(NRM) has accepted the expression of interest by Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza who is vying for speaker of the 12th Parliament.
The NRM parliamentary caucus is set to meet Sunday, May 25 to endorse their official flag bearer for both speaker and deputy speaker positions .
NRM electoral commission chairperson Tanga Odoi had earlier on Friday stressed that only official NRM members would be allowed to participate in the exercise.
“NRM independent MPs are not allowed to express interest.”he said
However, on Saturday ,when Ms Namuganza turned up at the party headquarters on Plot 10 Kyadondo Road in Kampala , the Electoral Commission boss accepted Namuganza’s expression of interest, effectively reversing the earlier position.
Namuganza, who contested and won her parliamentary seat as an independent candidate despite maintaining close ties to the ruling party, expressed gratitude after her expression of interest was accepted.
The maverick minister has long associated with the NRM and participated in the party primaries before losing the party flag. She later contested as an independent candidate in the January elections and emerged victorious.
Speaking shortly after her expression of interest was accepted, Namuganza defended her participation in the process, citing guidance from President Yoweri Museveni.
“The last time when we were in Kyankwanzi, the President said the NRM-leaning independents should participate in all party activities,” Namuganza said.
Her entry adds another layer to the growing contest for the speakership position within the ruling party ranks ahead of the decisive caucus meeting on Sunday.