State Minister for Lands and Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza has revealed she has secured the backing of at least 150 Members of Parliament as she intensified her campaign for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, positioning herself as a reform candidate promising inclusivity and institutional renewal.
Speaking amid heightened political mobilisation ahead of the first sitting of the new House, Namuganza said Parliament “can do better, be stronger, more united and more respected,” arguing that the next Speaker must rebuild trust and cohesion within the chamber.
“I saw the Speaker meeting some of the independents and hugging them. She can do all that, but they know what to do. Some of them are seriously mobilising for me,” Namuganza said.
“As I speak, I have over 150 MPs who are seriously doing kakuyege for me, bringing more members on board because they have all watched what has been happening in the 11th Parliament.”
Her remarks suggest that the Speakership contest may be more competitive than earlier anticipated, particularly within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which commands a dominant majority in the House.
Vision for Inclusive Leadership
Namuganza framed her candidacy around what she called “inclusive leadership,” pledging to preside over Parliament as a unifying figure rather than a partisan enforcer.
“A Speaker should be a bridge, not a barrier,” she said. “My manifesto centers on inclusive leadership. I will ensure that every MP — whether NRM, Opposition, or Independent — gets equal floor time based on the merit of their ideas, not the weight of their pockets.”
She added that her goal is to restore Parliament as a “People’s House,” where citizen concerns take precedence over special interests.
“We will restore the dignity of the 12th Parliament by making it a People’s House again, where the cries of the people in Uganda and beyond are heard louder than the whispers of lobbyists. Together, we rise for Uganda,” she said.
Testing the Numbers
While Namuganza’s claim of 150 MPs indicates significant internal mobilisation, political observers caution that Speakership contests within the NRM often hinge on caucus discipline and final signals from the party’s top leadership structures.
Her assertion, however, introduces fresh intrigue into a race that has already drawn multiple contenders and sparked quiet negotiations across regional and factional lines.
If her numbers hold — and if additional independents and first-time MPs align with her message — the Speakership battle could evolve into one of the most closely watched internal contests of the 12th Parliament.
For now, Namuganza’s declaration points to one clear reality: the race is no longer symbolic. It is organised, mobilised — and increasingly competitive.
