The ruling NRM party has called a caucus meeting at State House to endorse its candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament ahead of the official elections. The meeting follows recent political developments including a fallout between the former Speaker and the President.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has convened a crucial meeting for its Members of Parliament and allied independents at State House, Entebbe. The gathering, scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, aims to formally endorse the party’s preferred candidates for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker. These endorsements precede the official election of presiding officers for the 12th Parliament, which will take place on May 25.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong issued the notice for the caucus meeting, emphasizing its importance in unifying the party’s stance before the parliamentary session. Jacob Oboth-Oboth, former Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, is reportedly the favoured candidate for Speaker, while Thomas Tayebwa, the outgoing Deputy Speaker, is expected to be endorsed for the Deputy Speaker role. The Patriotic League of Uganda, a political group linked to the NRM, has already publicly backed this pairing.
The NRM’s call for a unified front comes in the wake of significant political maneuvering. It is understood that the meeting follows a reported fallout between former Speaker Anita Among and President Yoweri Museveni, amidst corruption allegations. Investigations into these allegations have led to Among withdrawing from the Speaker race.
In addition to its own members, the NRM has extended an invitation to independent MPs who have expressed willingness to cooperate with the party. This move aims to bolster the NRM’s numbers in the upcoming parliamentary votes. Mandatory COVID-19 testing will be conducted for all attendees on May 22 and 23 at the Parliamentary Conference Hall, a measure previously instituted by President Museveni for official gatherings.
The 12th Parliament, comprising 372 NRM MPs, 68 independents, and others, is set to elect its leadership, with the Chief Justice presiding over the initial Speaker election. The newly elected Speaker will then oversee the Deputy Speaker’s election.
