Democratic Party (DP) has fronted Mr Richard Ssebamala, the Bukoto Central MP-elect, for Speaker of 11th Parliament.
Mr Ssebamala defeated Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in the race for the Bukoto Central seat, which the latter has represented since 1996.
Mr Ssekandi also served as Deputy Speaker from 1996 to 2001 and Speaker for another 10 years before Ms Rebecca Kadaga took over in 2011.
Speaking at the party headquarters in Kampala yesterday, DP president Norbert Mao said as a political party, it is their duty to support the ambitions of their members who have come out to contest for any position.
“Ssebamala knows the Electoral College, the challenge of running for Speaker in today’s Parliament. Nevertheless, a campaign is an important platform to share a vision,” Mr Mao said.
He said it is their hope that while reaching out to his colleagues, who form the electorate, Mr Ssebamala will be able to share his unique vision.
“If he is elected well and good, if he is not elected he would have enriched the process and it would be our hope that whoever is elected does not ignore the proposals that he brings to the table,” he said.
Mr Ssebamala said he decided to contest for Speaker because he wants to return the country back to the citizens.
He said the country belongs to us all and we are supposed to live in equity, respecting each other and being accountable.
“People have been saying Parliament is for the lawmakers which is not right. This country does not belong to a few individuals, who decide for this country and how it should be governed,” he said.
He also said budget conferences are going on and no one is commenting about it but when an article of a law is tabled to be amended, that is when Parliament will come out.
“We want a Parliament which is accountable to itself and the people, respects every one and restores its integrity by restoring the rule of law and passing the right laws,” he said.
Mr Ssebamala added that when he stood against Mr Ssekandi, he went through a lot but he was determined to win the seat.
“Even now, it is not a joke to run for Speaker because we need that position back not as Opposition but as a country,” he said.
Mr Ssebamala said he will be sending letters to different MPs starting yesterday and will meet them personally to convince them to take this country back to its people.
Mr Ssebamala joins Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemajj, Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, and Ms Kadaga, in the race to steward the house.
About Ssebamala
Ssebamala was born in 1979 in Bisanje -Buddu County, Masaka District.
He is a civil engineer with a Bachelors degree in Engineering from Kyambogo University in Kampala.
He also holds a Master in Leadership and Management from Uganda Management Institute in Kampala.
He runs his own companies, including Multax Limited, where he is a consultant for international civil engineering projects.
