12th Parliament Speakership Race is Underway in Uganda as Contest Heats Up

The race for the Speakership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has crystallized into a high-stakes, multi-candidate contest, defying early attempts by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) to ring-fence the position.

On January 27, 2026, the CEC endorsed incumbent Speaker Anita Annet Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa, citing continuity and stability as Parliament transitions into its 12th term. However, several political heavyweights have since defied the party line, transforming what was expected to be a routine affirmation into a competitive five-way race.

The unfolding contest now tests internal NRM cohesion, the durability of cross-party cooperation agreements, and the influence of President Yoweri Museveni as party chairman.

Among remains the clear frontrunner, buoyed by formal CEC backing and the advantages of incumbency. Her campaign messaging emphasizes institutional continuity within the August House and steady legislative leadership.

Party insiders view the January endorsement as a strategic move to avoid the factional battles that have historically characterized speakership contests. Yet, the emergence of challengers suggests that the endorsement may not automatically translate into unanimous caucus support.

The most disruptive entry into the race has come from Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and president of the Democratic Party (DP).

Mao formally declared his bid on February 24, 2026. As MP-elect for Laroo-Pece, he has positioned himself as a reform candidate, promising to combat corruption and restore the dignity of Parliament.

His candidacy carries broader political implications. Despite the DP’s cooperation agreement with the NRM, Mao stated that he has formally written to President Museveni seeking support for his bid. This move reframes the race as more than an internal NRM contest; it becomes a test of alliance politics and executive influence.

Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Housing and MP-elect for Bukono County, declared her candidacy on February 13, 2026.

Positioning herself as a reformist within the ruling party, Namuganza claims to have secured backing from over 150 newly elected MPs who are seeking a “fresh direction” for the 12th Parliament. Her bid underscores internal tensions within the NRM and highlights generational and ideological shifts among first-time legislators.

Richard Odria, running as an independent but widely regarded as NRM-leaning, has framed his campaign as an effort to “unseat” the incumbent.

Odria recently called on President Museveni to issue explicit guidance on the race to ensure fairness and transparency. His intervention elevates the President’s potential role as final arbiter, especially given the perception that the early CEC endorsement may not be the definitive word.

Shiela Wanyoto adds a further layer of complexity to the field. Campaigning on gender inclusivity and institutional transparency, her bid challenges the NRM’s effort to present a single, unified candidate and appeals to reform-minded legislators.

A Crowded Field Compared to 2021

The 2026 race marks a notable departure from the dynamics that shaped the start of the 11th Parliament in 2021. Then, the contest was largely a three-way battle involving Jacob Oulanyah, Rebecca Kadaga, and opposition figure Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda.

In contrast, five candidates are now at the starting block in 2026. The introduction of the “Mao factor,” a Cabinet minister from an allied party challenging the NRM’s endorsed candidate, introduces a cross-party alliance dynamic absent in previous cycles.

At its core, the Speakership race has evolved into a contest between institutional continuity and reformist ambition.

Among’s camp, however, leans on party endorsement and experience. Her challengers present themselves as vehicles for recalibration, whether through anti-corruption reform, internal party democracy, or expanded inclusivity.

The immediate focus now shifts to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus. Its decision on whether to strictly uphold the CEC endorsement or permit a competitive floor vote will determine whether the 12th Parliament opens under reaffirmed continuity or under the weight of an unexpectedly fractured political contest.

As the race heats up, the number of candidates is expected to rise, as more aspirants declare their intentions ahead of the election scheduled for May. One question remains: who will be chosen as the Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament?