I’ll Accept CEC’s Decision 100%, Says Thomas Tayebwa as Female MPs Ride on Gender Balance to Push for His Exit

Tayebwa, who also serves as Ruhinda North MP, said he was ready to respect whatever decision is reached by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) regarding the party flag bearer for the influential parliamentary position.

“I’m ready to abide by whatever resolution comes from the Central Executive Committee of the party. Whoever the party chooses as the candidate, I’ll 100 per cent support and give my all,” Tayebwa said shortly after picking the nomination forms.

The outgoing Deputy Speaker also pledged support for Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, who is also being fronted by some party members for top parliamentary leadership roles ahead of the opening of the 12th Parliament.

The ongoing expression of interest exercise is being conducted by the NRM Electoral Commission for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The exercise, which started on Friday evening, is expected to close on Saturday evening as interested candidates continue submitting their papers.

The exercise followed a resolution by the NRM CEC, which met on Friday to discuss the upcoming elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament. The ruling party is expected to settle on official candidates before Parliament convenes to elect its new leadership.

NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Tanga Odoi said all aspiring candidates would undergo a shortlisting process before their names are forwarded to another CEC meeting scheduled to take place at State House Entebbe.

Following the CEC deliberations, the NRM parliamentary caucus is expected to meet and endorse the final party candidates who will carry the ruling party flag during the parliamentary elections.

However, the Deputy Speaker race has increasingly taken a gender balance dimension, with several female MPs arguing that Parliament cannot have both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions occupied by men.

Rose Obiga became one of the latest legislators to join the race after picking expression of interest forms for Deputy Speaker. She argued that the country needed inclusive leadership at the helm of Parliament.

Mawokota South MP Susan Nakawuki Nsambu also picked nomination forms and echoed similar sentiments, insisting that the leadership of the 12th Parliament should reflect gender balance.

Another contender, Catherine Lamwaka, said her leadership experience makes her suitable for the position. Lamwaka noted that Parliament plays a critical oversight role that complements the Executive, especially as Uganda pushes toward middle-income status.

Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, a lawyer and former Uganda Revenue Authority executive, also entered the race, saying her background in administration, governance, and budget management gives her an edge in managing parliamentary business.

Kuteesa said she possesses extensive experience in handling large teams and government processes, skills she believes are necessary for the office of Deputy Speaker.

Meanwhile, James Kaberuka Ruugi Niringiyima revived his bid for the same position, arguing that Parliament needs leaders with clean records and renewed public trust.

“Last term, I expressed interest, but the CEC decided to have Thomas Tayebwa as the party flag bearer. I have seen that we need to have a force whose record is clear,” Kaberuka told journalists after picking nomination forms.

Oyam County South MP Patrick Obura also joined the contest, saying his candidature was aimed at showing solidarity with Ugandans who have lost confidence in Parliament.

The growing number of aspirants now sets the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive internal NRM battle, with gender representation, political loyalty, public image, and regional balancing emerging as key factors likely to influence the final CEC decision.

It should be remembered that Muhoozi had first indicated that a female MP would be endorsed for deputy speaker job, only for him and NRM chairman president Museveni to change their minds and endorse Thomas Tayebwa. (See Details Here and There).

Meanwhile, security operatives have raided the homes of former speaker Anita Among, her parents’ home, and her sister’s home in search of hidden boxes of money.