MPs to elect Speaker, Deputy Speaker in first sitting on Monday

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Members of Parliament (MPs) will, on Monday, May 25, 2026, elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament during the first sitting of the 12th Parliament.

According to the Order Paper released on Sunday, May 24, Parliament will convene at 10:00 am, with President Yoweri Museveni and Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija expected to attend as MPs vote for the two top parliamentary positions.

The Speaker will be elected first and will receive the instruments of power before MPs proceed to vote for the Deputy Speaker.

Four candidates, including outgoing defence minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, MP for West Budama County, former lands state minister and Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza, Yorke Odria, MP for Aringa South, and Florence Akiiki Asiimwe, Woman MP for Masindi district, have expressed interest in contesting for the Speaker’s seat in the 12th Parliament.

Namuganza, an NRM-leaning MP, expressed interest outside the party guidelines after the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission opened the expression of interest exercise following directives from the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

The NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, said the matter regarding Namuganza’s candidature was to be forwarded to the CEC because party rules required candidates seeking the NRM flag for the speakership to be official NRM flag bearers in the 12th Parliament.

Sixteen candidates have also expressed interest in the Deputy Speaker position, including the outgoing Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, MP for Ruhinda North in Mitooma District.

Other contenders include Rose Obiga, District Woman MP for Terego, Catherine Lamwaka, District Woman MP for Omoro, Susan Nsambu Nakawuki, MP for Mawokota South, Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, MP for Mwenge South, Patrick Ogwang Obura, MP for Oyam South, James Kaberuka, MP for Kinkizi West, Denis Namara, MP for Buyaga West, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, Woman MP for Mbale district, Steven Shyaka Gashija, MP for Entebbe Municipality, Jackson Kafuuzi, MP for Kyaka South, Evelyne Tete Chelangat, District Woman MP for Bukwo, Hillary Lokwanga, MP for Ik County, Edward Otto Makmot, MP for Agago, and Gen. Henry Tumukunde, MP for Rukungiri Municipality.

The aspirants are set to be vetted on Sunday (May 24) by the CEC at State House before the NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting.

According to Odoi, the party's electoral commission was expected to forward the names and CVs of the aspirants to the CEC for consideration before the ruling party settles on its preferred candidates.

Last week, outgoing Speaker Anita Annet Among, who is currently under investigation by security agencies, withdrew from the 2026-2031 speakership race.

In a detailed statement shared on her X account, Among said, "I wish to draw the attention of the public to the matters regarding the Speakership race.

After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the National Resistance Movement (NRL), I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament."

Among said she was, "greatly indebted to His Excellent President Yoweri Museveni, my party, the NRM, and members of the 11th Parliament for giving me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Speaker and Speaker. I am equally indebted to my family and friends for the solidarity and support they have extended to me over the last five years. I pledge my total support to the candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the Party, and Implore all colleague Members of Parliament of the 12th Parliament to do the same," Among added.

She said she would "remain available to the service of my country as the party and the President may assign me."

In the meantime, Among pledged, "to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised."

Her decision not to stand comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation launched by the military together with the Criminal Investigation Directorate, which has since conducted a series of raids at her homes in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea, collecting items that have since formed part of the investigations.