Embattled former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among is expected to attend the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting as the ruling party prepares to determine its official candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
President Yoweri Museveni reportedly summoned the urgent CEC meeting scheduled for Friday, May 22, amid growing political maneuvering within the ruling party ahead of the parliamentary leadership elections.
The high-level meeting is expected to deliberate on and endorse the NRM flag bearers for the two top parliamentary positions. The party’s preferred candidates will later be presented to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, which is set to convene on Sunday, May 24, for further discussions and endorsement ahead of the elections.
The elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker are scheduled to take place on Monday, May 25.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong confirmed that the party would communicate its official position after the CEC meeting.
“We are going to have a Central Executive Committee meeting on Friday this week, and I will be able to communicate to the public after that meeting,” Todwong said.
Salim Uhuru, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Kampala Region, said Among had formally been invited to attend the meeting in her capacity as the party’s Second National Vice Chairperson ( Female ).
Uhuru noted that all CEC members are prepared to receive and endorse candidates proposed by President Museveni for the parliamentary leadership positions.
The development comes amid intense lobbying within the ruling party over the Speakership race. Recently, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) endorsed Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth for Speaker and incumbent Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker.
The endorsement followed the PLU’s withdrawal of support for Among, who has recently faced mounting pressure over ongoing investigations into alleged illicit enrichment and money laundering.
Among has since stepped back from actively contesting for the Speakership after investigations were launched against her ahead of the vote next week.
The outcome of Friday’s CEC meeting is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the leadership of the 12th Parliament and could further expose divisions and shifting alliances within the NRM establishment.
