NRM endorsement of Among, Tayebwa for speakership challenged in court

KAMPALA - Apollo Kibira, a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has petitioned the High Court seeking the invalidation of the party's decision to endorse Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to steer the 12th Parliament.

Kibira, through his lawyers of MAALC Advocates, filed his suit at the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala on Friday (March 6, 2026). Kibira insists that the process of endorsing the duo by the party Central Executive Committee (CEC) contradicts the party constitution.

He demands for an order of certiorari doth issue quashing the decision of the CEC of the NRM (first respondent) endorsing the second (Among) and third (Tayebwa) respondents for Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the 12th Parliament, respectively.

Kibira wants the court to issue an order prohibiting the respondents, their agents and others from implementing, enforcing, or acting upon the said endorsement.

He demands that court compel the NRM to conduct a lawful, transparent, fair, and participatory internal party process, allowing eligible NRM Members of Parliament to express interest and be considered for NRM flag bearers for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

President Yoweri Museveni and the party chairman of NRM have since signed the top party’s organ endorsement of Among and her deputy to steer Parliament for another five years.

The party chairman’s approval followed CEC resolutions dated January 27, 2026 and February 20, in favour of the duo.

What is now pending is the presentation to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for critical ratification ahead of the speakership race in May.

In the wake of the decision, the party secretary general, Richard Todwong, said they opted to uphold precedent by allowing the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to complete two terms.

Todwong disclosed that any other party members interested in the positions were asked to step down to maintain unity and continuity in parliamentary leadership.

However, Kibira argues that the endorsement of the first and the second respondents was made without affording other eligible NRM MPs the right to express interest, in breach of natural justice and internal party democracy.

He adds that the party endorsing the two without affording other eligible NRM MPs the right to express interest is procedurally improper, irrational, and illegal.

“The conduct of all the respondents violates the applicant's and other NRM members' constitutional rights to equality, fair treatment, political participation and just and fair administrative action under Articles 20, 21, 38 and 42 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda,” his lawyers stated.

The lawyers argue that CEC’s decision was unilateral, opaque, and procedurally unfair and violated the legitimate expectation of NRM MPs to participate in a fair and competitive internal party process.

The other people who have expressed interest in contesting for the position of the Speaker include: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao, Persis Namuganza, Bukono County MP-elect and State Minister for Housing, Lydia Wanyoto, Mbale City MP-elect, and Yorke Odria Alioni, Aringa South County MP.

Despite the party decision endorsing Among and Tayebwa, Wanyoto insisted that the final decision on the party candidates will be determined by the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.