Tayebwa speaks out on 2031 Parliament speakership

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Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has addressed growing speculation about whether he harbours ambitions of becoming Speaker in 2031, saying he will not prematurely declare interest in the top parliamentary job and will instead leave the matter to his party’s established processes.

Speaking to journalists on the evening of March 4, 2026, at his residence in Kigo, Wakiso district, Tayebwa distanced himself from actively campaigning for the Speakership, even as he seeks another term as Deputy Speaker in the upcoming 12th Parliament.

“I don’t need to declare myself Speaker of 2031,” he said.

“I just pray for good health, work, get another term as Deputy Speaker, another term as an MP in 2031 and leave the process to my party.”

Without openly declaring future ambitions, Tayebwa referenced what he described as a long-standing internal progression model within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), in which a Deputy Speaker who serves two terms may later be considered for elevation.

“The Speaker should be dragged to the seat,” he said, suggesting that the office should emerge through structured consensus rather than open confrontation or public lobbying.

According to Tayebwa, parliamentary leadership within the NRM has historically followed a clear pattern of transition, guided by caucus consensus rather than individual declarations.

“It is a process. It has been very clear, Speaker after Speaker, time after time, how transitions have been handled like for both Rebecca Kadaga and Edward Ssekandi,” he said, arguing that institutional stability depends on respecting internal mechanisms.

Focus on current mandate

For now, Tayebwa says his focus remains on securing another term as Deputy Speaker and defending the record of the 11th Parliament, rather than projecting himself into the next decade’s leadership contest.

He maintains that leadership positions in Parliament are not meant to be aggressively sought, but rather entrusted.

“That office is too critical to be handled casually,” he said. “It must be approached with sobriety.”

His remarks come at a time when internal discussions within the NRM are shaping up ahead of the leadership elections of the 12th Parliament, with interest already emerging in various top positions.

While insisting on neutrality when presiding over the House, Tayebwa also acknowledged his political roots.

“Yes, I am neutral when chairing the House, as the rules provide. But I was sponsored by a party,” he said in earlier remarks, underlining the dual responsibility of managing state business while maintaining party allegiance.