The race for the next Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament has taken a dramatic turn after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) opened the official expression of interest process for aspirants seeking the party’s backing ahead of Monday’s elections.
The process, being conducted by the NRM Electoral Commission, attracted a number of senior politicians and parliamentary hopefuls as competition for the two influential positions intensified amid shifting political alliances and ongoing investigations involving current Speaker Anita Annet Among.
Among the first aspirants to register were Rose Obigah and Catherine Lamwaka, both of whom emphasized the need for stronger female representation in Parliament’s top leadership.
Lamwaka said her candidature seeks to rebuild public confidence in Parliament while promoting capable and inclusive leadership. Obigah, who is eyeing the Deputy Speaker seat, pledged to advocate for equality, institutional balance, and integrity within Parliament.
Later in the evening, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth also arrived at the nomination venue, accompanied by David Kabanda.
The process is expected to determine the ruling party’s official flag bearers for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions before the matter is forwarded to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) and later the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.
Speaking to journalists, NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Tanga Odoi said the exercise began Friday evening and would continue through Saturday to allow all interested candidates to submit their expressions of interest.
By Saturday morning, however, activity at the venue remained slow, with only advance teams from some camps arriving early. Supporters of Oboth-Oboth claimed to have collected over 500 signatures from Members of Parliament backing his candidature.
The contest has become increasingly competitive following reports that an earlier endorsement of Among and Tayebwa by the NRM leadership had been withdrawn after Among reportedly communicated her decision not to seek re-election as Speaker.
The developments come at a time when Among is facing scrutiny from security agencies over alleged corruption-related matters. In recent days, security operatives reportedly searched several of her residences in Kampala and Bukedea, alongside properties linked to close family members.
The parliamentary leadership race has also drawn interest beyond the ruling party. National Unity Platform has fronted Paul Mwiru for Speaker, while Norbert Mao is reportedly seeking support from President Yoweri Museveni under the cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party and the NRM.
Other names circulating in the race include Florence Asiimwe, Forke Alioni Odria and Lydia Wanyoto.
With lobbying efforts intensifying across political camps, Saturday’s continuation of the expression of interest exercise is expected to offer a clearer picture of who will eventually contest for Parliament’s top leadership positions.
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