Mbale, Uganda: The newly-elected Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament, Lydia Wanyoto, popularly known as “Big Sister,” has officially declared her bid for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, saying she is responding to a direct call from her voters.
Wanyoto, a senior cadre of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), made the announcement Friday morning during a press conference at House 49 in Malukhu, Mbale Industrial City Division.
“I accept the call from my community, from my voters. I accept the endorsement because it is one of the roles you gave me. You voted for me to go and represent your views. One first view that you have given me is to contest for the office of the Speaker. And I accept because you voted for me,” Wanyoto declared.
The former NRM Women’s League Chairperson anchored her bid in the historical contribution of the Bugisu sub-region to the ruling party’s struggle led by President Yoweri Museveni.
Standing at House 49 in Maluku, which she described as a historic site where Museveni was once sheltered in the 1970s, Wanyoto said Bugisu has long played a role in Uganda’s political journey.
“That’s where we are drawing our history to claim the national cake,” she said, adding that Mbale City and the wider Bugisu region have a legitimate stake in national leadership.
“When we talk about accessing the national cake, it’s not because I’m just one in the country. Bugisu, Mbale City, has a stake in the national politics of our country,” she said.
Political and Legal Roadmap
Wanyoto outlined a clear strategy for her campaign, noting that the Speaker is expected to be elected around mid-May when the 12th Parliament convenes.
She said her first step would be to formally notify Members of Parliament from Mbale City about her bid before reaching out to legislators from across the country.
“The 12th Parliament has 529 Members of Parliament. They have so far gazetted only the women; they are yet to gazette the men. But I am going to look for all the 529 MPs, one by one, because you have sent me,” she said.
Wanyoto also pledged to engage all MPs from the Bugisu sub-region, where she noted there are 25 legislators, to rally support for her candidacy.
“I will write and inform all the Members of Parliament from Bugisu Sub-Region, and I’m going to request them that the Members of Mbale City have requested you to support their cause,” she added.
Wanyoto’s declaration sets the stage for what is expected to be a high-stakes contest for the leadership of the 12th Parliament, a position that plays a pivotal role in steering legislative business and shaping Uganda’s political direction. She said she is entering the race “with passion, commitment and zeal,” vowing to “go all the way” in the contest.
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