By Ben Musanje
The race for the leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) abruptly withdrew its earlier endorsement of Speaker Anita Annet Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
In a press conference held Tuesday evening at the PLU offices in Kololo, PLU Secretary General David Kabanda announced that the political pressure group, led by the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, had formally retracted its March 11 directive that instructed PLU-leaning Members of Parliament-elect to support Among and Tayebwa for re-election.
Kabanda a close friend to Among said the decision was made following fresh guidance from Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces and chairman of PLU.
“The endorsement of the Right Honorable Anita Annet Among and Right Honorable Thomas Tayebwa as candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively for the 12th Parliament of Uganda is retracted and withdrawn with immediate effect,” Kabanda declared.
He added that PLU MPs-elect had now been directed to support candidates who would be presented by President Yoweri Museveni for the two top parliamentary positions.
“The leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda encourages its Honorable Members-elect to support the candidates that will be presented to them by His Excellency the President,” Kabanda said.
The dramatic reversal marks a significant shift within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) camp, where many had believed Among and Tayebwa were comfortably headed for another term after securing endorsement from the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).
PLU’s earlier backing had further strengthened perceptions that the pair’s re-election was virtually guaranteed.
The sudden withdrawal, however, follows a series of unusually blunt social media posts by Gen Kainerugaba that triggered speculation about growing unease within sections of the ruling establishment.
One of the posts that drew widespread attention saw Muhoozi remark that he had “never sat in a Rolls Royce” in his 52 years of life. The comments emerged amid public debate over reports alleging that Speaker Among had acquired a luxury vehicle valued at approximately Shs3 billion.
Although Among has not publicly addressed the claims, the reports have fuelled intense political discussion both online and within government circles.
The unfolding developments now leave the contest for Speaker and Deputy Speaker wide open, despite the NRM’s earlier endorsements.
Apart from Among and Tayebwa, other figures who have expressed interest in the Speaker’s seat include Democratic Party president Norbert Mao, Lydia Wanyoto, Persis Namuganza, Yorke Odria Alioni and Florence Asiimwe Akiiki.
The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the 12th Parliament is expected later this month. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
