Among,Tayebwa Agree to Seek Second Terms in Top Parliamentary Positions

Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, have officially indicated their intention to seek re-election to their respective leadership positions in the 12th Parliament, citing consistency, trust, and long-standing practice within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as key motivations behind their joint decision.

The announcement was made as the NRM kick-started its internal nomination process for candidates intending to contest in the upcoming 2026 general elections. Tayebwa, while picking up nomination forms to run again as Ruhinda North MP in Mitooma District, confirmed his readiness to serve a second term as Deputy Speaker, provided he retains his parliamentary seat.

“Yes, I will run again for Deputy Speaker, and this decision has been made in agreement with the Rt. Hon. Speaker Anita Among. We have worked closely as a team, and we believe continuity is key in ensuring institutional stability and effective parliamentary leadership,” Tayebwa said.

Speaker Among is also expected to contest again as Bukedea District Woman MP and, if re-elected, will offer herself for a second term as Speaker of Parliament.

The two leaders emphasised that their decision to run for the top parliamentary positions is in line with NRM’s tradition of continuity and rewarding performance.

Historically, the party has often endorsed incumbent Speakers and Deputy Speakers for additional terms if they have demonstrated effective leadership and maintained party discipline within Parliament.

“In the NRM, we build institutions and leadership step by step. When a team is performing and trusted by the party, it’s only natural to support them for continuity. This has been our tradition,” Tayebwa noted.

Indeed, this echoes past precedents, such as the back-to-back terms served by former Speakers Edward Ssekandi and Rebecca Kadaga, both of whom were supported by the party machinery through multiple terms due to their perceived loyalty and effective command of the House.

Since assuming office in 2022 following the passing of then-Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, Among and Tayebwa have positioned themselves as a steady and assertive leadership pair, guiding the 11th Parliament through significant national issues, including post-COVID-19 recovery, constitutional matters, and debates around governance reforms.