Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s top decision making organ, Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Friday dramatically rescinded its earlier endorsement of Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, reopening the race for the leadership of the 12th Parliament amid mounting pressure surrounding corruption investigations targeting Among.
According to sources, the Fifth Central Executive Committee meeting, chaired by NRM National Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, resolved to begin the selection process afresh after Among formally withdrew from the Speakership contest.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door meeting, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi revealed that Among had written directly to Museveni communicating her decision not to participate in Monday’s Speakership election.
“Rt Hon Anita Among put it in writing that she is no longer interested in contesting for Speaker of Parliament and will support any candidate that CEC recommends,” Tanga said.
According to Odoi, Museveni informed members that he had already responded to Among’s letter, thanking her for the decision and assuring her of continued cooperation in her role as the party’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female).
He added that Among had vowed to campaign for whoever the CEC endorses for the positions, promising to be at the forefront of rallying support for them.
The development marks a major political reversal inside the NRM. Earlier this year, the same party organ had reportedly settled on retaining Among as Speaker and Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker. However, the arrangement increasingly came under strain following an ongoing security and corruption probe that has cast uncertainty over Among’s political future.
Early this week, Among wrote on social media her decision to pull out of the race over developments involving her and the probe.
Sources indicate that concerns within sections of the security establishment and the party leadership intensified in recent weeks, eventually forcing a rethink inside the ruling party’s top decision-making organ.
This has been coupled with dramatic events that have seen security impound luxury cars belonging to the now former speaker from her residences in the Nakasero and Kigo. On Friday, her Bukedea home was also besieged by security as the continued their search which is part of the probe.
Among notably did not attend Friday’s crucial CEC meeting, with Odoi saying her apology letter citing indisposition was formally received and accepted by members.
The meeting, fully constituted with 23 members in attendance, included Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, league chairpersons, regional vice chairpersons and senior NRM officials.
Following the reversal, CEC moved swiftly to endorse Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker while maintaining support for Thomas Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker.
Insiders say the decision is intended to contain internal divisions ahead of Monday’s parliamentary vote and shield the party from further political damage linked to the corruption allegations.
Despite stepping aside, Among signaled loyalty to the ruling party, with Odoi revealing that she pledged to become “a frontrunner” in campaigning for the eventual NRM flag bearer.
