It was business as usual yesterday at Kololo independence grounds when Members of Parliament gathered to vote for the new speaker and deputy speaker of the 11th parliament. Anitah Among represented NRM while Asuman Basalirwa of JEEMA was representing the opposition for the speaker position.
Anitah emerged victorious with a whooping 401 votes, while Basalirwa managed to get only 66 votes and 1 vote was invalid. Althogh Among's win seemed inneviatable, many people seemed to be dissapointed with how many votes Basalirwa got, claiming he would have got more than 66votes, given the opposition has 109 MPs.
Thomas Tayebwa, who was the NRM chief whip in the parliament, also won the deputy speaker, winning opposition representative Okot P'Btek Moses with 379 votes while Okot got only 82votes. Tayebwa thanked the president of Uganda for trusting him and promised to work hand in hand to ensure that he serves the people well.
Anitah, who was the former deputy of the now deceased Jacob Oulanyah, swore to continue from where her former boss stopped and also promised not to lay off any employee who was appointed by Oulanyah until their term expires.
