A faction of youths aligned with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has raised alarming concerns about alleged financial incentives offered to Members of Parliament to secure their backing for the endorsement of Speaker and Deputy Speaker candidates. Operating under the NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN), the group has petitioned President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, demanding his intervention in the matter and questioning the legality of Anita Annet Among’s appointment as Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa’s as Deputy Speaker.
According to the NRN, some Members of Parliament were reportedly paid Shs10 million each to endorse the leadership candidates ahead of the May parliamentary elections. The allegations have stirred a political firestorm, with the youth leaders expressing their frustration over what they describe as a premature endorsement process that bypassed proper party procedures.
The NRN has raised serious concerns over the endorsement’s timing, arguing that the decision was made before the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for the 12th Parliament had been fully constituted. Edgar Stuart Mugisha, a prominent youth leader from Sheema District, emphasized that many MPs were still un-sworn-in, and the 11th Parliament was technically still in effect, raising questions about the legality of actions taken by the Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Mugisha also pointed out that the endorsement contravened the NRM’s internal rules, specifically the party’s Rules of Procedure governing the functioning of the Parliamentary Caucus. This, he believes, undermines the democratic values within the party and could set a dangerous precedent for future leadership decisions. Mugisha further criticized the lack of a response from President Museveni to their previous petition, prompting the group to take the matter to the High Court to challenge the endorsement process.
Ivan Mwijukye, another member of the NRN, stressed that the NRM Parliamentary Caucus should only consist of sworn-in Members of Parliament, which had not yet occurred, making the endorsement process even more contentious. Mwijukye raised concerns that the endorsement not only violates legal principles but also carries political and moral implications for the party’s future.
Julie Nakabugo, a youth activist within the movement, called on Ugandan youth to stand with the NRN and protect the integrity of their party’s internal democracy. The group believes that ensuring a fair and transparent process is vital for upholding democratic principles within the NRM. Peter Kivumbi, another vocal member of the movement, accused the CEC of flouting proper procedure and urged the party’s leadership to address the irregularities in the process.
As this political drama unfolds, several high-profile figures have expressed interest in vying for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions in the 12th Parliament, including Yorke Alioni, Norbert Mao, Lydia Wanyoto, and Florence Asiimwe Akiiki. The race is heating up, adding further tension to the already controversial situation.
The NRN remains determined to challenge what they see as an unlawful endorsement process, with the group now looking to the courts for a resolution. As the matter progresses, the outcome could have lasting consequences not only for the NRM but for the broader political landscape of Uganda.
