Nsereko declines to step down for Oulanyah
- Written by URN
Kampala Central MP, Muhammad Nsereko has turned down a request by President Yoweri Museveni to quit the race for deputy speaker.
According to sources, Museveni asked Nsereko at State House in Entebbe this afternoon to step down from the race in favour of the incumbent Jacob Oulanyah in vain. Last week the NRM caucus and the party’s Central Executive Committee last week endorsed to maintain the speakership status quo.
In Entebbe today, Museveni convened a meeting with NRM-leaning independent MPs to convince them to back the party position to maintain the incumbent Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Oulanyah.
However, in brief statement, Nsereko, says he rejected the president's request opting to compete with Oulanyah when the 10th Parliaments convene on May 19 to elect the next deputy speaker.
"I have told the president that I will not stand down for Hon. Oulanyah. Our values are different and I will stand by the will of voters to protect the constitution. Why ask me to stand down if Oulanyah is a strong candidate?" Nsereko questioned.
Nsereko also asked the president to support his bid, while rallying other MPs to back him. The latest developments come after the withdrawal of Wilfred Niwagaba from the race due to differences in opinion with Nsereko over who should step down in favour of the other.