HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I As Uganda prepares for the inauguration of the 12th Parliament, political attention has shifted to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus meeting scheduled for Sunday at State House Entebbe. The meeting, convened by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is expected to shape the leadership structure of Parliament, particularly the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Although officially described as a routine caucus gathering to organise the ruling party ahead of the new parliamentary term, the meeting has attracted unusual political significance following the dramatic withdrawal of former Speaker Anita Annet Among from the Speakership race.
Among’s decision to step aside has altered the political landscape within the ruling party and opened fresh debates over succession and internal power dynamics. Her withdrawal followed weeks of mounting pressure linked to corruption allegations, investigations into her wealth, and growing scrutiny from both the public and sections of the security establishment.
Security agencies recently carried out searches at properties associated with Among in Nakasero and Kigo, reportedly recovering documents, electronic gadgets, and luxury vehicles for forensic examination. Although no formal charges have been announced, the developments intensified political pressure on the former Speaker and weakened her position within the NRM hierarchy.
Sources within the ruling party indicate that President Museveni privately advised Among to withdraw from the race in order to reduce tensions and prevent divisions within the party. Her exit is widely seen as an attempt by the NRM leadership to protect the party’s image at a time when governance and accountability issues remain under intense public scrutiny.
With the Speakership contest largely settled, attention has now shifted to the race for Deputy Speaker. The incumbent Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has emerged as the establishment favourite after reportedly receiving backing from both the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political pressure group linked to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In a recent public statement, Muhoozi announced that all legislators aligned to the PLU would support Tayebwa, citing guidance from President Museveni, whom he referred to as the Commander in Chief. The endorsement has strengthened Tayebwa’s position ahead of the caucus meeting and signalled the growing influence of political alliances within the ruling party.
Despite this support, insiders say several NRM legislators are still considering challenging Tayebwa, raising the possibility of a competitive internal contest. Some MPs are reportedly dissatisfied with what they perceive as increasing central control over parliamentary leadership decisions and want a more open contest within the caucus.
The outcome of Sunday’s meeting is expected to reveal not only who will lead the 12th Parliament but also the balance of power within the NRM as the party navigates succession politics, internal rivalries, and public demands for accountability.
In the 12th Parliament, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has approximately 342 officially elected Members of Parliament. Furthermore, the NRM’s numerical advantage is bolstered by alliances with independent legislators, with a group of 27 newly elected independent MPs having signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate with the ruling part
