NRM Youth Demand Parliamentary Caucus, Not CEC, Decide Speaker Seats
NRM CEC members
By skika reporter
A group of youthful leaders within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has challenged the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) over its decision to endorse incumbent Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa for another term, calling the move undemocratic and exclusionary.
The youth, speaking under the NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN) banner, argued that reserving the top parliamentary positions for a small CEC clique undermines meritocracy and sidelines emerging leaders. They criticised the current process, where a few influential figures decide the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for 529 legislators representing 45 million Ugandans, calling it a “bridge too far.”
“We propose that the endorsement of candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker be made by the full NRM Parliamentary Caucus, not a handful of top party officials,” said NRN leader Jamir Kazibwe. Edgar Mugisha, Sheema District NRM youth leader, added: “From LC1 to LC5, the party conducts primaries. Why should the Speaker’s position be different?”
The youth’s grievances come a month after the CEC, chaired by President Museveni, endorsed Among and Tayebwa for another term. Their objections gained attention amid Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao’s informal bid for the Speaker’s seat, signalling potential contestation despite the CEC’s endorsement.
Responding to the challenge, NRM CEC spokesperson Emmanuel Dombo dismissed the youth as “indisciplined,” emphasising that CEC matters are not for public debate and all party segments, including youth, are represented at the committee.
The debate highlights growing tensions between NRM’s traditional top-down candidate selection system and calls from within the party for a more participatory approach, reflecting wider discussions on internal democracy and meritocracy ahead of parliamentary elections.
Constitutionally, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by MPs from among themselves through a secret ballot under parliamentary supervision. Within the NRM, however, the CEC traditionally vets and endorses candidates to maintain party cohesion, a practice now under scrutiny by younger party members.
