Kampala, Uganda: A group of youth cadres under the umbrella body of the NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN) have asked President Yoweri Museveni to address growing concerns surrounding the Speakership race in the 12th Parliament, accusing some MPs of allegedly accepting Shs10 million to support a ‘special’ candidate ahead of the May elections.
Addressing journalists at their weekly press conference in Kampala on Monday, the youth-led pressure group within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) criticised what they described as “transactional politics” and internal manoeuvres that risk weakening party morale.
“Mr President, we know of MP-elects who have reportedly been bribed by a certain candidate to secure an endorsement for Speakership for the 12th Legislature. We do not agree with this move; it is cowardice and not grounded in the values of the NRA you established years ago,” said Ivan Mwijukye, a member of the NRN.
The NRN also condemned what it termed as a growing trend of recruiting opposition politicians into the Movement and allegedly positioning them for government appointments while long-serving cadres remain sidelined.
“We strongly disagree with the emerging practice of recruiting politically rejected opposition figures and publicly parading them as converts, only to position them for government appointments or strategic placement within state structures,” Ms Sylvia Kemirembe, another NRN member, remarked.
“The NRM was not built on transactional politics. It was built on sacrifice, discipline, and ideological clarity. Rewarding political convenience over proven loyalty creates frustration within the rank and file and weakens internal morale,” she added.
Their remarks follow the recent defection of Yusuf Nsibambi from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the NRM, alongside other high-profile crossovers, including Dr Twaha Kagabo (formerly NUP), Anthony Akol (FDC), Dr Patrick Wakida and Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, among others.
Call for Public Speakership Debate
Beyond concerns over defections, the youth group demanded greater transparency in the upcoming Speakership election. Jude Mugagga Wannume proposed a publicly broadcast debate for all MPs who have declared an interest in the position of Speaker.
“The Office of the Speaker of Parliament is one of the highest constitutional offices in the land. It shapes legislative direction, safeguards parliamentary order and influences governance oversight,” Mugagga said.
“We, the NRN, therefore propose a publicly broadcast Speakership debate involving all legislators who have formally expressed interest in the position. Parliament belongs to the people.”
NRN members also questioned whether the party had departed from what they described as the original principles of the National Resistance Army (NRA) era in selecting parliamentary leadership.
“Did NRM change from the original principles of the NRA, where we chose a Speaker based on clear competencies such as having served as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee or having been a member of the Constituent Assembly?” Mwijukye asked, urging the party to prioritise competence and institutional norms over personal or gender considerations.
What the Constitution says
Article 82 of the Constitution provides that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by Members of Parliament from among themselves during the first sitting of Parliament or when a vacancy arises. The election is conducted under the supervision of the Chief Justice or a designated judge through a secret ballot requiring a majority vote.
Under Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, the Speaker must be elected from among sitting MPs.
The Speakership contest has so far attracted five candidates: incumbent Speaker Anita Among, Aringa South MP Alioni Yorke (NRM), Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao (DP), Mbale City Woman MP Lydia Wanyoto (NRM), and Masindi District Woman Representative Dr Asiimwe Florence Akiiki (NRM).
The NRN’s latest statement comes barely a month after the same group criticised the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) over alleged plans to ring-fence certain positions for incumbents — a claim later clarified by NRM Director for Legal Affairs, Enoch Barata, who said there had been no official CEC endorsement for the Speakership race.
However, the group has maintained that its position stems from loyalty rather than rebellion. “The future of the NRM depends not merely on electoral victories, but on disciplined internal systems, ideological consistency and leadership structures,” Ms Kemirembe said.
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