Tayebwa takes deputy speaker battle to West Nile to stem Alenyo’s rise

Thomas Tayebwa (C) in Arua

The deputy speaker of parliament Thomas Tayebwa spent the weekend in West Nile in what insiders describe as a calculated move to consolidate support as the race for the next deputy speaker intensifies.

Publicly, Tayebwa travelled to Arua City to celebrate the victory of mayor-elect Lawrence Alionzi. But sources familiar with the visit say the trip doubled as a political charm offensive targeting members of parliament from the West Nile sub-region.

West Nile has 42 MPs, making it a critical voting bloc in the contest. Among them is Marshall Alenyo, Jonam County MP-elect, who is widely tipped to emerge as a major political powerbroker and is reportedly eyeing the deputy speaker position.

Alenyo’s growing influence has unsettled Tayebwa’s camp, setting the stage for a quiet but intensifying contest between the two. The pair met at the Alionzi celebration and exchanged pleasantries, but behind the public appearances, both camps are actively canvassing support for the deputy speaker slot.

Political mobilisation in West Nile has been gathering momentum, driven by a perception that the region has been sidelined in national leadership since the death of former Speaker and Attorney General Francis Ayume in 2004.

Lobbyists from the sub-region are now backing Alenyo, arguing that his elevation would restore the region’s bargaining power. At the event, Tayebwa sought to court leaders from the region by highlighting government plans to upgrade the Albert Nile bridge in Pakwach to all-weather standards, a move he said would ease movement of goods and boost trade.

Sources also revealed that Tayebwa held a private meeting with Alenyo, although details remain scanty. Insiders say Tayebwa is attempting to persuade Alenyo to step aside in the current race, with an understanding that he could support him for deputy speaker in 2031 when Tayebwa is expected to contest for the speakership.

Efforts to reach Tayebwa and Alenyo for comment were unsuccessful. However, sources close to the discussions said negotiations are ongoing in a bid to reach an amicable arrangement.