Kampala, Uganda: The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has withdrawn its earlier endorsement of Speaker Anita Annet Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the leadership of the 12th Parliament, signaling fresh uncertainty within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) camp ahead of the parliamentary leadership race.
In a press statement issued Tuesday by PLU General Secretary and Kasambya County MP David Kabanda, the pressure group said the March 11, 2026 endorsement of Among and Tayebwa had been “retracted and withdrawn with immediate effect.”
The statement followed a series of social media posts by PLU Chairman and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who dismissed alleged reports of an NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) decision on the Speakership as “fake.”
Gen Muhoozi subsequently directed all PLU-leaning Members of Parliament-elect to await guidance from President Museveni, who also serves as the National Chairman of the NRM.
“The leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda encourages its Hon Members-elect to support the candidates that will be presented to them by H.E the President for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker,” Kabanda said while addressing the media from the PLU headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.
The Kasambya county legislator, who is widely known to be Among’s associate and “son” further stated that PLU members were expected to follow “the command, instructions and guidance” of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba at all times.
The abrupt reversal is expected to intensify behind-the-scenes lobbying within the NRM as the ruling party prepares to determine its official flag bearers for the top parliamentary positions.
The development signals the growing influence of PLU within Uganda’s political establishment, particularly among newly elected NRM legislators aligned to Gen Muhoozi’s political movement.
All eyes will now await which candidate among the aspirants for NRM Flag bearer position in the speakership, the National Chairman and newly sworn-in President, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will have his final say in ahead of the May 25 Speaker elections.
Among the NRM MPs in contention for the flag include Hon Lydia Wanyoto Mutende (Mbale City Woman MP), Hon Persis Namuganza (Bukono East MP), and Hon Dr Florence Akiiki Asiimwe (Masindi Woman MP).
Nobert Mao (Laaro-Pece MP) who is also widely seen as the front runner against Among, is not likely to secure the NRM Flag due to his allegiance to the Democratic Party but could still get the mass support from the ruling party if endorsed by the NRM National Chairman.
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