Why Aringa South MP wants NRM CEC to withdraw Among, Tayebwa endorsement

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Aringa South legislator Alioni Yorke Odria has asked the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) to withdraw the endorsement of Anita Among, the incumbent Speaker, and Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker, for another term unopposed.

“The pronouncement of Among and Tayebwa is unconstitutional. We are therefore requesting the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) to withdraw the declaration,” Odria said on March 6, 2026, while addressing the media at Kampala Serena Hotel.

The remarks come days after President Yoweri Museveni signed the NRM-CEC resolution endorsing incumbent Speaker Among and her deputy, Tayebwa, for re-election as speaker and deputy speaker of Parliament, respectively.

The decision was reached during a CEC meeting, signalling the ruling party's continued backing of the current parliamentary leadership as it prepares for the forthcoming vote in the House.

An official letter issued by the CEC and dated February 20, 2026, indicated that during its 8th meeting held at State House, Entebbe, members of the 5th CEC deliberated extensively and in a cordial atmosphere before unanimously resolving to endorse the candidates.

"To reiterate resolutions No.12 of the 7th meeting of the 5th CEC meeting, to the effect that in line with precedence, the names of incumbent Speaker Among and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa shall be forwarded to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for their adoption as candidates of the party on the floor of Parliament. Any issues that arise shall be addressed on merit," read the resolution.

Richard Todwong, the NRM secretary general, on March 4, 2025, confirmed that Museveni signed the CEC resolution.

Challenging the CEC position and resolution, Odria said Uganda’s Constitution provides for democracy, adding that the Constitution clearly outlines that the state shall be based on democratic principles.

He added that clause two states that all citizens should have access to leadership positions. He said that as NRM members, they expect CEC to give access to all elected NRM MPs to express interest in the speakership positions.

“We demand for freedom and access to all NRM elected MPs to express their interest for the speakership position, other than ring-fencing the position.

All the NRM MPs contesting for the same position need to be evaluated, subjected to primary elections, and the winner takes it all as the party flag bearer, other than ring fencing the position to Among and Tayebwa,” Odria said.

Odria alleged that Parliament under Among and Tayebwa has been the most corrupt, adding that there should be a comprehensive investigation into corruption and misuse of public funds.

“Has CEC ever received any accountability reports from Among and Tayebwa on how the Parliament is being run? If CEC does not have any certified reports from Parliament, we demand CEC to withdraw their imposition of Among and Tayebwa onto the NRM MPs and Ugandans,” Odria said, adding that President Museveni should take action regarding accountability in Parliament.

“Odria and the people of West Nile, Lydia Wanyoto and the people of Bugisu, Persis Namuganza and the people from Busoga, Akiiki Asiimwe and the people of Bunyoro are not fools. Nobody should own the President’s success that he or she single-handedly delivered. What did you do in Busoga, West Nile, Bunyoro and Central?” Odria said, adding that democracy should prevail.

Other candidates eyeing the speakership position include housing state minister Persis Namuganza, justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao, Lydia Wanyoto and Akiiki Asiimwe.

Court challenge

Meanwhile, the endorsement of Speaker Anita Among and her Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa by the NRM CEC has also been challenged in the High Court.

Apollo Kibira, an NRM member, filed a petition at the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala on March 6, 2026, seeking to invalidate the party’s decision to back the two leaders for the 12th Parliament.

Kibira argues that the endorsement process contravened the NRM constitution and denied other eligible party members the opportunity to express interest in the positions.

In the petition, Kibira asks the court to quash the CEC decision endorsing Among and Tayebwa and to block the party from implementing the resolution.

He also wants the court to compel the NRM to conduct a lawful, transparent, fair and participatory internal process that would allow eligible NRM Members of Parliament to compete for the party’s flag bearer positions for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.