Speaker race draws 4 candidates as 16 vie for deputy speaker seat

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:08]Yesterday, the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission failed to endorse definite candidates for the positions of speaker and deputy speaker of the 12th Parliament. The commission instructed aspirants to first formally express interest in the position following a Central Executive Committee meeting at State House, Entebbe, chaired by President Museveni. The decision effectively shelved the unofficial internal endorsement of West Budama County South MP and former Defense Minister Jacob Oulanyah both by some party officials, mainly members of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a pressure group in the ruling NRM. The CEC directive meant that the race for both speaker and deputy positions remained open in the party, requiring all those interested to submit applications rather than relying on internal endorsement or consensus candidates. By 10:00 p.m.

[00:00:58]today, aspiring candidates went to the party headquarters on plot 10, Kyadondo Road in Kampala, to pick forms to express their interest.

[00:01:07]What is your problem? Apart from even being the my best friend. Anytime. For the speakership position, four candidates expressed interest. They include Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza, who is an independent but NRM leaning candidate. Namuganza is the outgoing State Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. Who says Persis Namuganza has expressed interest to run for speaker of the 12th Parliament of Uganda. She is a woman member, the constituency member of Parliament in a constituency called Bukono Constituency in Lamutumba District.

[00:01:47]We are also giving you the guidelines so that you read and acquaint yourself with what NRM wants. Congratulations.

[00:01:55]Others are Jacob Oulanyah, both the Budama West MP and outgoing defense minister who was last week endorsed by a section of NRM MPs and other politicians who subscribe to the Patriotic League of Uganda, a pressure political formation in the ruling NRM.

[00:02:11]I have received a letter of expression of interest for the office of the speaker of the 12th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda from honorable Jacob >> [clears throat] >> M Oulanyah, MP Omoro Central County Constituency. We will witness today the submission of expression of interest for the office of the speaker of the 12th Parliament of Uganda.

[00:02:55]That has been done very successfully this morning.

[00:03:01]And uh we've been given guidelines as you've heard and you saw which guidelines I need time now to go and study them.

[00:03:13]Ali Oulanyah Odria, the Aringa South MP, also expressed interest as well as Florence Akiki Asiimwe, the Masindi District Woman MP. I know that honorable Asiimwe Florence Akiki doctor has expressed interest for speakership position for the 12th Parliament of Uganda.

[00:03:36]Congratulations. Thank you. I'm also giving Finally finally, nominations are taking place.

[00:03:44]And this is what I wanted. Because if you don't follow rules then you become a you you follow the rules of the jungle.

[00:03:52]Anybody who comes having lost you, this one you have to withdraw. Everybody so I'm very happy that they have seen sense.

[00:04:02]That proper procedures have to be followed.

[00:04:05]Anie Odiria >> [clears throat] >> has met the requirements for now.

[00:04:13]I've expressed interest for the position of speaker of the 12th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

[00:04:21]The position had also attracted Anita Among, the woman member of Parliament for Bukedea, who turned down her candidature for the position due to the ongoing security operations at our properties amid allegations relating to corruption. Dr. Tanga Odoi, the chairman of the Electoral Commission in the ruling NRM, explained why non-NRM MPs were allowed to join the race. We have We are allowed this and we are going to take it to SEC.

[00:04:49]She is an NRM independent. The rules are clear. You must be NRM flag bearer in Parliament of the 12th Parliament.

[00:04:58]But we are going to take to the uh the caucus, I mean the SEC, and we shall be guided by the legal brains of the Central Executive Committee.

[00:05:09]If it was her oversight, we excuse her.

[00:05:12]If it was oversight of God, God is always great. The position for the deputy speaker attracted 16 candidates.

[00:05:20]Outgoing deputy speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, is one of them.

[00:05:24]I have submitted my expression of interest for the position of deputy speaker as per the call that came from the party last night.

[00:05:41]Whoever the party chooses as a candidate, I will 100% support and give my all.

[00:05:49]I also pledge to support whoever becomes the right honorable speaker.

[00:05:56]And it is very very important for the deputy to ensure that we support the principal. I ask the members of the 12th Parliament to look to nobody but Rose Odinga. This shows interest. This shows punctuality. This shows ability to serve this country, their countrymen and women. I've been in that house if I had on this time it would be about 15 years.

[00:06:24]Although most of the time I was representing the army, I was also a member of the Constituent Assembly elected by Rovavo.

[00:06:34]I'm a master of security matters.

[00:06:37]I'm very good at military matters.

[00:06:40]I have qualifications in oil and gas.

[00:06:45]I have done diplomacy as my CV will be reading. So, which better person would you look for?

[00:06:54]Before this we've been doing consultation. This is the formal process. So, we want to talk to the formal process and we will not to go back where we have come from.

[00:07:04]So, the formal process is that I'm here for deputy speaker.

[00:07:09]I've been in Parliament for the past 10 years.

[00:07:13]I am the current deputy deputy attorney general.

[00:07:19]I've been attorney general deputy attorney general for the past 6 years.

[00:07:24]I believe I have enough experience.

[00:07:28]I have the quality and what it takes to manage the office of deputy speaker.

[00:07:40]I've been in Women in Parliament have been given an opportunity to serve the same way men have been.

[00:07:49]When you read Article 33 clause four of the Constitution that article implores the government to provide gender gender equity for both men and women in terms of politics economics and social well-being. The candidates will be vetted by the NRM Central Executive Committee tomorrow at 9:00 and announce the successful candidates. The results will then be forwarded by the party's Electoral Commission to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus ahead of the voting on Monday.

[00:08:27]National Resistance Movement enjoys numerical strength in the 12th Parliament with 372 members of Parliament. Maria Jacinta Kanyange NTV Weekend Edition. All the big ones