CONFIRMED: Museveni Convinces 17 NRM MPs to Step Down for His Preferred Candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker Jobs

The National Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling party led by President Yoweri Museveni has  convinced all aspiring candidates within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to step down in favour of the party’s preferred candidates for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

At least two NRM MPs had expressed interest in competing with defence minister Jacob Oboth Oboth for the NRM’s flagbearer for the speaker race, while 15 had expressed interest in unseating Thomas Tayebwa from his deputy speaker job. (See names of the 17 candidates Here).

The development clears the way for Jacob Oboth Oboth, the Member of Parliament for West Budama Central, to run unopposed within the NRM camp for the Speaker position, while Thomas Tayebwa, the outgoing Deputy Speaker and Ruhinda North MP in Mitooma District, is set to retain the party flag for Deputy Speaker.

The 17 NRM legislators who had initially shown interest in the two powerful parliamentary positions agreed to withdraw their bids after consultations led by President Museveni ahead of the crucial caucus meeting at State House, Entebbe.

The highly anticipated NRM caucus meeting is expected to formally endorse the party’s official flagbearers for Speaker and Deputy Speaker before Monday’s election at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

By Sunday evening, both NRM and NRM-leaning Members of Parliament had pitched camp at State House, Entebbe, for the closed-door discussions expected to shape the leadership of the 12th Parliament.

The NRM MPs are expected to endorse Museveni’s and NRM CEC’s choices for the speaker and deputy speaker jobs.

The decision is seen as part of a broader strategy by the ruling party to avoid internal divisions and present a united front during Monday’s parliamentary vote.

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions are the most influential offices in Uganda’s legislative arm of government.

Members of Parliament will on Monday, May 25, 2026, elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker during the first sitting of the 12th Parliament, with the elections expected to attract significant political attention across the country.

You can read interesting facts about Jacob Oboth Oboth and Thomas Tayebwa in their profiles Here and There.