Kampala, Uganda: A group of ideological youth leaders under the NRM Revolutionary Network have escalated pressure on the ruling National Resistance Movement leadership, demanding an open Speakership race for the Parliament leadership and openly rejecting the authority of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) to impose candidates.
The youth cadres argue that the long-standing practice of the Central Executive Committee endorsing candidates for parliamentary leadership positions must end, arguing that such decisions should rest with the full NRM Parliamentary Caucus.
The rebellion comes amid early manoeuvres within the ruling party over who will lead the next Parliament, with youth leaders insisting that the speakership should no longer be treated as a closed-door party arrangement.
While addressing the media at a press conference held in Kampala, one of the Youth leaders under the NRN, Miyingo Chris, said the Speakership should be subjected to open competition within the NRM Parliamentary Caucus and, controversially, could even be handed to the opposition to strengthen accountability.
“Why wouldn’t we have a Speaker of Parliament from the opposition for proper accountability?” Miyingo asked. “During the elections, parties like UPC and DP campaigned for the President. Why should we exclude them when forming government?”
He argued that confining opposition figures to minor ministerial roles weakens oversight and defeats the spirit of inclusive governance.
Adding to his voice, Sheema District NRM youth leader Edgar Stuart Mugisha said the era of CEC-imposed Speakers must end. “For a long time, it has been CEC determining who becomes Speaker. That is an issue of the past,” Mugisha said. “Every elective position in NRM goes through party primaries. Where is the primary for the Speaker? Nowhere.”
Accusing the CEC of advancing elite interests, Mugisha questioned whether the party still practises meritocracy. “The parliamentary caucus represents the will of the people,” he said. “If we want a Speaker and Deputy Speaker who serve the people, then I say to hell with the resolution of CEC. Let the NRM Parliamentary Caucus decide.”
Beyond the speakership, the NRN says its agitation reflects deeper frustrations over youth exclusion from decision-making within the party.
“As NRN, we are questioning why decisions on positions like Secretary General, Director of Finance and National Treasurer are left to one person,” said Ivan Mwijukye, a youth leader from Ibanda, referring to the party chairman’s appointive powers.
“If delegates cannot choose who they work with, then which NRM are we serving?” he asked, warning that sidelining the National Delegates Conference undermines the party’s institutional foundations.
The youth leaders insist they are no longer willing to remain spectators within the movement and want meaningful participation in shaping the party’s leadership and direction.
Electoral College Proposal Enters the Debate
Another NRN youth leader, Jamir Kazibwe, advocated for internal democracy to broader electoral reforms, including the proposal for a presidential electoral college system. Kazibwe said the idea is intended to drastically reduce the cost of presidential elections, which he described as an unsustainable financial burden on the country.
“We, the wananchi, elect Members of Parliament to represent our ideas. If they represent our views, they can also elect a President on our behalf,” Kazibwe said. “This will significantly reduce the money spent during elections.”
He claimed Uganda has spent over Shs10 trillion on previous elections and argued that a parliamentary-based presidential election would help minimise electoral expenditure.
Not a New Idea
The reforms fronted by the NRM youth leaders is not entirely new. In 2022, the Transformers Cadres Association of Uganda pushed for constitutional amendments to introduce a hybrid parliamentary system in which the Head of State would be elected by Parliament and Local Government Councils. That proposal, however, remains pending.
But their renewed agitation comes amid wider national debates on electoral reforms, governance structures, and the balance of power within political parties. It remains unclear whether the proposals will gain traction within the NRM top leadership or find support in Parliament.
What is clear, however, is that the youth wing is no longer content with quiet conformity and is openly challenging long-standing party orthodoxies.
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