I looked for your votes across country, Speaker Among tells MPs

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Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has told fellow Members of Parliament that she traversed the country mobilising support in their constituencies during campaigns, urging them to reciprocate as the race for the leadership of the 12th Parliament intensifies.

Among made the remarks today, March 6, 2026, while addressing female MPs and women staff during the International Women’s Day celebrations at Parliament in Kampala.

She told the legislators that her engagement with many of them during previous campaigns gives her confidence as Parliament prepares to elect a new Speaker when the 12th Parliament convenes.

“Where were they when I traversed the whole country looking for your votes?” Among said, referring to critics in the ongoing contest.

“Whoever I looked for their votes and everybody who is here, in one way or the other, I looked for their votes.”

Her remarks come as several politicians have declared interest in dislodging her from Speakership in the 12th Parliament, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a competitive leadership race within and outside the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

Leadership is not accidental

Among, who has served as Speaker since March 2022, following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, told the gathering that leadership in Parliament is not accidental but is determined by the support of legislators who themselves are elected by voters in their constituencies.

“There is no school for training MPs, and there is no school for training the Speaker of Parliament,” she said.

According to the Speaker, those elected to the House should recognise the responsibility entrusted to them by voters and support leaders who have demonstrated commitment to engaging colleagues across the country.

“There is no accidental MP because you were voted by the majority of voters in your constituencies,” Among said.

“And there is no accidental Speaker of Parliament.”

Her comments appeared to respond to critics who have recently questioned the circumstances under which she assumed the Speakership following Oulanyah’s death in 2022.

Masindi District Woman MP Florence Akiiki Asiimwe, who has expressed interest in the position, previously suggested that the current leadership emerged largely due to circumstances surrounding Oulanyah’s passing, a situation she described as the country ending up with an “accidental Speaker.”

Among dismissed such assertions, noting that she was elected by an overwhelming majority of legislators at the time.

“The ‘accidental Speaker’ they are talking about was voted by 415 Members of Parliament,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.

The Speaker also invoked faith as she expressed confidence about the outcome of the upcoming leadership contest. “By God’s grace, she will be the Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Among said.

She further predicted that the current leadership team would remain intact in the next Parliament.

“Triple A will be the Speaker and Double T will be the Deputy Speaker,” she said, referencing her initials (AAA) and those of the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa.

Among also used the occasion to call for unity among legislators following the recently concluded election season, urging them to avoid internal divisions.

Citing biblical scripture, she quoted Jeremiah 29:11, which speaks of God’s plans for prosperity and hope, and warned against what she described as betrayal by those who respond to good deeds with hostility.

“There are those who have done good, but they are paying back by doing the opposite,” she said, cautioning that such actions carry consequences.

House dissolution for May

The Speaker also updated the gathering on the parliamentary transition timeline as Uganda prepares for the inauguration of the next government and Parliament.

She said the current House is expected to be dissolved at midnight on May 24, after which newly elected MPs will be sworn in.

According to Among, the swearing-in of legislators will follow the inauguration of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on May 12.

“The members of Parliament will be sworn in on the 13th, 14th and 15th,” she said.

Among added that as the sitting Speaker she remains responsible for organising the election of the next Speaker until shortly before the vote takes place. “I will still be the Speaker until a few hours before the voting of the Speaker,” she noted.

During the Women’s Day event, the Speaker also encouraged female legislators to continue advocating for gender equality in leadership. She suggested that if a woman occupies the position of Speaker, the Deputy Speaker position should be held by a man as part of maintaining balance in leadership.

“As for ladies, whether I am in this Parliament or not, there must be gender equality,” Among said.

She concluded by encouraging newly elected legislators to treat Parliament as a second home and to focus on delivering for the constituents who elected them.

“This is your second home that your constituents have sent you to,” she said. “And I can assure you, you will have all our support at any one time.”

The contest for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as legislators position themselves ahead of the election that will determine the leadership of the House for the next five years.