The leadership structure of the Ugandan Parliament is set for firm continuity. In the recently concluded parliamentary nominations, conducted on October 22–23, 2025, for the 2026 general elections, both the incumbent Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, secured re-nomination for the 12th Parliament without facing challengers in their respective constituencies.
This outcome confirms the robust political standing of both individuals within the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and signals an overwhelming internal preference for institutional stability at the country’s legislative core.
Speaker Among’s Entrenched Position
Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, representing the Bukedea District Woman Constituency, has wielded significant political influence since the 10th Parliament. Having served as Deputy Speaker, she took the seat as Speaker of the 11th Parliament in March 2022.
Her unchallenged path to the 12th Parliament underscores a powerful consolidation of her local base and national political stature. However, this re-nomination was preceded by significant and immediate controversy. Opposition aspirants including candidates from the FDC and NUP, were recently disqualified by the Electoral Commission and local tribunals on grounds of allegedly not being registered voters in the requisite parishes. These administrative hurdles, which effectively locked out key challengers just before the nomination deadline, intensify long-standing opposition criticism concerning the fairness and accessibility of the competitive process in the Bukedea seat.
Deputy Tayebwa: A Fixture in the Leadership Matrix
Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North County (Mitooma District), has been a key component of parliamentary leadership since 2016 and currently serves as Deputy Speaker.
Tayebwa’s unopposed nomination for his parliamentary seat further underlines his deeply entrenched role, not just in the legislative structure but also within the ruling party’s central machinery. His seamless electoral path ensures he remains a certain fixture in the leadership considerations for the 12th Parliament, providing the NRM with a cohesive top legislative team.
Legislative Efficiency vs. Democratic Deficit
The uncontested returns of both parliamentary heads point towards a decisive internal consensus, prioritizing stability and efficient legislative delivery ahead of the 2026 elections.
The 11th Parliament, under their dual mandate, has championed an ambitious agenda focused heavily on the Executive’s priorities, including the implementation of the transformative Parish Development Model (PDM). With a focus on efficiency, the House has maintained a high legislative pace, including passing over 35 bills in the last year alone.
This guaranteed continuity ensures that their policy priorities, largely aligned with the government’s Vision 2040, will dominate the 12th Parliament. Yet, while stability is secured, the political environment surrounding these uncompetitive nominations will likely be leveraged by opposition and civil society groups to renew discussions about the democratic space and the health of competitive party politics in Uganda.
