By Aggrey Baba
Ruhinda County North MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has showered praise on President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa, describing him as a symbol of consistency, sacrifice, and focus, saying his leadership continues to shape Uganda’s future.
The remarks came shortly after Museveni officially picked nomination forms to run for another term as NRM’s national chairman and flag bearer in the 2026 general elections.
In a detailed reflection, Tayebwa celebrated the NRM Chairman as a “liberator and transformer,” crediting him for the country’s current peace and regional influence.
“For generations like mine, born and raised in a time of peace, it is easy to overlook what it took to secure the stability we now enjoy,” Tayebwa wrote, arguing that the freedom many Ugandans take for granted today was built through the “sacrifice and courage” of Museveni and his comrades-in-arms.
The Speaker’s words carry deeper political weight, considering his own journey in politics, from his early days as a youthful FDC supporter at Makerere University, to his swift rise within the ruling NRM.
Once viewed as a spirited opposition voice, Tayebwa surprised many when he crossed over to the NRM, citing the need to work within government structures to achieve development for his people in Mitooma.
Tayebwa entered Parliament in 2016 and was quickly identified by party insiders as a bright, ambitious mobiliser with a pro-business mind and communication acumen. His appointment as Government Chief Whip in 2021 solidified his position within Museveni’s inner political orbit.
Barely a year later, following the elevation of Anita Among to Speaker after the untimely demise of former speaker, Jacobo Oulanyah in March 2022, Tayebwa was elected Deputy Speaker, cementing his place among Uganda’s most influential young leaders.
Those close to him say he has mastered the art of balancing loyalty to the president with an appeal to Uganda’s youthful electorate, detailing that Tayebwa understands that Museveni is still the political centre of gravity in Uganda, and praising him is not only an act of loyalty but also a political necessity for any leader who wants to stay relevant favored in Kyadondo.
In his recent statement, Tayebwa described Museveni’s leadership as not just historically significant, but also essential for Uganda’s future.
“His leadership has shaped Uganda’s past, defines our present, and continues to offer the most trusted path to our future,” he declared, while urging Ugandans to rally behind Museveni and the NRM in the upcoming elections.
Tayebwa’s endorsement comes amid quiet debates within and outside the NRM about generational transition. While some younger cadres have hinted at the need for new leadership, Tayebwa appears firmly in the camp of those who see continuity in Museveni’s rule as a strategic advantage for Uganda’s stability and economic aspirations.
As the old but strong man embarks on what could be a record-setting campaign for a seventh elective term, voices like that of Tayebwa offer both reassurance to the old guard and a bridge to younger voters who may be detached from the liberation narrative.
His praise, while calculated, also signals the political reality that in the NRM, aligning with Museveni remains not just wise but essential.(For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
