MPs dodging plenary sessions to seek re-election irk Speaker Among

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Members of Parliament (MPs) skipping plenary sessions in Kampala to go upcountry and lay the groundwork for the 2026 General Election have irked Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.

While presiding over a plenary session on Wednesday (August 6), Among said the number of MPs in the House had reduced and wondered what would happen after the nomination of parliamentary candidates next month.

“I see how the number of members in the House is reducing. I’m wondering what will happen in September and October; the House will always sit. Whether there are only two members, we shall sit, and business must continue as usual,” she said.

The nomination of parliamentary candidates will take place on September 16-17, while for the President on September 23-24 this year.

The attrition rate shows that out of 10 MPs, six do not return to Parliament. This means that a newcomer to politics has a better chance of being elected as an MP than an incumbent has of retaining their seat.

Many incumbent MPs, especially ministers, fought for political life against fresh-faced youth in the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries.

Primary education state minister Dr Joyce Kaducu cried foul after losing her Moyo district Woman MP NRM flag to Bernadette Kodil, a newcomer who is little known outside her home area.

In Luuka district, incumbent Woman MP and former Minister for the Presidency Esther Mbayo was trounced by Annet Nabirye, the former regional manager for Century Bottling Company in charge of Rwenzori Mineral Water.

The NRM election disputes tribunal, which is chaired by John Musiime, received at least 380 petitions. It commenced the hearings of the disputes on July 29 at the party's legal offices in Nakasero, Kampala.