The government chief whip, Thomas Tayebwa, has been nominated by the NRM Parliamentary Caucus to serve as Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

“Thank you colleagues for endorsing me unopposed for Deputy Speaker on the NRM ticket,” said Tayebwa on Thursday evening.

Tayebwa faces competition from opposition figures including Kira municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda.

This means Tayebwa will replace Hon Anita Among who has served as Deputy Speaker for nine months.

Among was nominated by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) to replace Speaker Hon Jacob Oulanya who passed away this past Sunday in the United States.

NRM enjoys the majority in Parliament, meaning Among and Tayebwa will sail through the elections for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively during the special Parliament sitting on Friday, March 18.

Tayebwa, 41, is a trained lawyer who was appointed as the Government Chief Whip by President Museveni last year.

Since 2016, Tayebwa has served as the Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North County in Mitooma District.

In Parliament, Tayebwa served as a member of the National Economy Committee and Natural Resources Committee.