KAMPALA – Deputy Speaker of Parliament who is also Omoro County MP Jacob Oulanya has expressed interest in running for the NRM Vice Chairmanship Northern region position.
This is the second time he is contesting for the same position as he was “sweet talked” by President Museveni in 2015 to step down for the incumbent Sam Engola giving him an easy victory against the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hillary Onek.
While picking the nomination forms from the NRM offices in Kampala, Oulanyah told the journalists that the party agreed in 2015 that he would run for the position in 2021.
“As you maybe aware, I did this five years ago in 2015 in Namboole and was asked by Mr President to step down for Hon Sam Engola who is the incumbent,” he said.
He added that, “The agreement was that he would do five years I would come now. So the time has come and I’m renewing the sit to be able to take leadership of the northern region.”
Oulanyah further took to his Twitter page and posted, “After Picking my nomination forms for Vice Chairperson Northern Region, I met the incumbent and outgoing Vice Chairperson, my brother Sam Engola.”
In 2001, Oulanyah entered politics by successfully contesting for the parliamentary seat of Omoro County, the then Gulu District under the no-party system also known as the Movement Political System.
He was however a cardholder of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
In 2006, standing as a UPC candidate, he lost his re-election bid. In July 2006, he quit the UPC and joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
In March 2011, Oulanyah was elected to represent Omoro County then in Gulu District, in the Ninth Parliament, this time on the NRM ticket. He was elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2011.
In the aftermath of the 2016 General Elections, Oulanyah sought to take on the Speakership job but was asked by the party to grant Kadaga another term.
He was re-elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2016. In the vote, conducted by secret ballot, he received 300 votes, while Mohammed Nsereko received 115.
