By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)
Kampala
Dokolo County South Member of Parliament Felix Okot Ogong has officially declared intensions to run for the position of the Speaker of Parliament to replace the fallen Jacob Oulanyah.
Okot Ogong confirmed to Voice of Lango Fm Tuesday morning that he will pick nomination forms from the National Resistance Movement Party Tuesday morning to carry the party flag.
According to Okot, his bid seeks to make Parliament a peoples centered house.
The position of the Speaker of Parliament felt vacant on Sunday following the sudden demise of Jacob Oulanyah who was elected in May last year.
Many members of Parliament who spoke to Voice of Lango but asked not to be named say Okot Ogong is one of the few accomplished and experienced members of Parliament whose capacity and ability to steer the house is unmatched.
“We will drag Okot to that Chair,he understands Parliament and rules of procedure” one of the Western MPs said.
Other Members of Parliament who have joined the race include; Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda,Rebecca Kadaga and Jacob Oboth Oboth
The NRM parliamentary caucus will meet on Wednesday to elect the party flag bearer.
The elections of the Speaker will be conducted on Friday.
Profile of Felix Okot Ogong.
Hon Felix Okot Ogong is an accomplished and renowned Ugandan economist, entrepreneur, and politician. Okot is a Member of Parliament for Dokolo County South having been elected in 1996 and due to his impeccable record of effectively representing his people; the constituents have since retained him to continue serving them.
He is a member of the Pan African Parliament (PAM) and sits in two Parliamentary committees; the committee on Trade, industries and Cooperatives, and the foreign affairs committee.
Okot Ogong served as the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs from (2001-2006). During his tenure, Okot is remembered for mobilizing the young people of Lango to join and form a robust local militia (Amuka) which supported the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces to flush out the Lords Resistance Army rebels in Northern Uganda.
Born on the 22nd January 1965 to Mzee Neri Ogong, Okot attended Kwera Primary School and joined Lango College for his secondary education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and geography from Makerere University, Kampala.
Felix Okot Ogong is the founder and Managing Director of Voice of Lango 88Fm, Felistar bus services, and Feliestar Pharmacy in Lira Town. The services offered by the three companies have since left an indelible mark in the lives of many people in Northern Uganda. The companies employ more than 200 people.
editor@vol.co.ug
