IT’S NOT YET OVER: Friday Night Meeting at State House Gives Anita Among Allies Hope of Surprise Comeback

A late-night meeting at State House Entebbe on Friday has injected fresh uncertainty into the heated race for Speaker of Parliament, with allies of embattled Speaker Anita Among now insisting the contest is far from decided.

The meeting, which reportedly stretched past midnight into the early hours of Saturday, May 16, 2026, brought together President Yoweri Museveni and key political actors amid growing tensions inside the ruling establishment over the succession of the speakership.

Speakership debate shifts to procedure, not personalities

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the issue of the Speakership was eventually tabled during the night session, but only in terms of procedural considerations rather than individual endorsements or political alignments.

The development comes just days after First Son and Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also leads the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), publicly backed Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth as a preferred replacement for Among in the Speakership race—an endorsement that significantly shifted political momentum.

However, insiders now say that PLU representatives at the Friday night meeting firmly declined to engage in any negotiation that would revisit that position, maintaining that a decision had already been made within their camp.

Museveni now seen as final arbiter

The stalemate has reportedly elevated President Museveni’s role as the ultimate decision-maker in the unfolding power struggle, with both sides now effectively waiting for his final direction.

Sources indicate that the President is expected to communicate a definitive position by close of business Tuesday at the earliest, or Wednesday at the latest, a timeline that has intensified political anxiety within Parliament and ruling party circles.

Among camp sees opening despite pressure

Despite mounting pressure following Muhoozi’s endorsement of Oboth Oboth, allies of Anita Among believe the prolonged State House discussions signal that the matter remains open to reconsideration.

They argue that the fact the Speakership was discussed at procedural level—rather than being conclusively settled—suggests that competing interests are still being weighed at the highest level of government.

Possible political fallout remains uncertain

While speculation continues to swirl around possible consequences depending on the final decision, no official confirmation has been issued regarding any enforcement or investigative actions linked to the Speakership contest.

What is clear, however, is that the internal contest has exposed deepening divisions within the ruling establishment, with competing power centers aligning behind different parliamentary leadership options.

As the country awaits President Museveni’s expected directive, the future of the Speakership—and Anita Among’s political standing—remains hanging in the balance, with both sides claiming quiet confidence behind the scenes.

And the next few days leading up to decision time will be particularly so packed — and a lot may change.

Meanwhile, Anita Among has canceled her celebration dinner at Munyonyo, as most NRM MPs are expected at Jacob Oboth Oboth’s thanksgiving party in Mukono, as detailed Here.

Also thrown under the bus is deputy speaker Anita Among, with Muhoozi trying to convince his father Museveni to replace the Ruhinda North MP with a female MP. (See Details Here and There).