CASH FOR ENDORSEMENT: Youth Group Says Each NRM MP Was Given Shs10 Million to Endorse Among, Tayebwa as Speaker and Deputy Speaker

A group of youths aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has raised concerns over alleged payments of Shs10 million to Members of Parliament to influence the endorsement of candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.

The youths, operating under the NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN), have also petitioned Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene, questioning the legality of the endorsement of Anita Annet Among as Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker.

Addressing journalists on Monday, the group claimed that some Members of Parliament allegedly received Shs10 million each to support the endorsement ahead of the May parliamentary leadership elections.

They further argued that the decision by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) to endorse the two leaders was made prematurely before the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for the 12th Parliament was fully constituted.

Edgar Stuart Mugisha, a youth leader from Sheema District and a member of the NRN, said the move risks contradicting the party’s internal procedures.

“There are still issues with the gazetting of some Members of Parliament and none of them has been sworn in. The 11th Parliament is still in effect, so how does CEC endorse when the NRM Parliamentary Caucus is not yet fully gazetted?” Mugisha asked.

He added that the endorsement did not follow the NRM Rules of Procedure governing the Parliamentary Caucus.

The group revealed that they had earlier petitioned President Museveni but received no response, prompting them to file a petition before the High Court challenging the endorsement process.

“Unless the judiciary has failed, that petition will bring them to their knees,” Mugisha said.

Another youth leader, Ivan Mwijukye, said the NRM Parliamentary Caucus should only consist of sworn-in Members of Parliament, which has not yet happened.

He argued that the endorsement raises legal, political and moral questions within the party.

Julie Nakabugo called on Ugandan youths to support the initiative aimed at safeguarding internal democracy within the party.

Another activist, Peter Kivumbi accused the Central Executive Committee of bypassing proper procedures and urged the party leadership to correct the process.

The youth group maintains that the matter will ultimately be resolved in court as they seek to defend what they describe as the democratic principles of the NRM.

Meanwhile, several candidates have expressed interest in the race for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament. They include Yorke Alioni, Norbert Mao, Lydia Wanyoto and Florence Asiimwe Akiiki