The NRM practice of Endorsing Candidates For Speaker and Deputy Speaker Is Null And Void, It Contradicts The Constitutional Provisions

By Ecungu George William

“A house divided against itself can not stand.” Abraham Lincoln’s warning rings true when institutions stray from their constitutional foundations. As Uganda’s 12th Parliament takes shape, one question must be asked: Will we follow the Constitution, or will we bow to practices that have no place in law?

Article 77(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as amended, creates the Parliament of Uganda. Since independence on 9th October 1962, Uganda has had 11 Parliaments, and the 12th Parliament is now under formation.

Article 78(1) defines its composition as consisting of directly elected members, one woman representative for every district, representatives of special interest groups such as the army, youth, workers, and persons with disabilities, and the Vice President and Ministers as ex officio members.

On 14th January 2026, Ugandans exercised their duty under Article 17(1)(h) to vote for President and Members of Parliament. The Clerk to Parliament presided over the swearing-in of the newly elected MPs from 13th to 15th May 2026, marking the beginning of the 12th Parliament.

However, the composition of Parliament is not yet complete. Article 78(1)(d) and Article 82(4) make this clear. Parliament shall consist of the Vice President and Ministers, and no business other than the election of the Speaker may be transacted when that office is vacant.

Under Article 108, the President appoints the Vice President with the approval of Parliament, and under Article 111(1), the President appoints Ministers. Critically, Article 78(1)(d) provides that the Vice President and Ministers, if not already elected MPs, become ex officio members without a vote. This means any sworn-in Member of Parliament is eligible for appointment to these offices. The ball is now in the President’s hands.

The offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker are currently vacant, and the Constitution is explicit on how they must be filled.

Article 82(4) provides that no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant. Article 82(2) states that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall be elected by members of Parliament from among their number.

Article 81(4) defines a Member of Parliament as every person elected to Parliament who has taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and the oath of Member of Parliament specified in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

This settles both who elects and who qualifies to be elected. Article 82(5) further provides that the Chief Justice, or a judge designated by the Chief Justice, shall preside at the election of the Speaker, and the Speaker shall preside at the election of the Deputy Speaker.

As Lord Acton said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That is why the Constitution places this process squarely in Parliament’s hands, free from external direction.

The danger lies in practices that have no basis in the Constitution. The practice of summoning MPs to Kyankwanzi to endorse candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker is not recognized anywhere in the supreme law.

Eligible means you satisfy the constitutional conditions, and for Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the only condition is that one must be a Member of Parliament.

Endorsed means someone with authority has approved or backed you. The Constitution recognizes eligibility; it does not recognize endorsement.

The NRM Constitution provides that the Central Executive Committee shall endorse two candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

This directly contradicts Article 82, which creates the office, sets eligibility, and outlines the procedure for election. Under Article 2(2) of the Constitution, if any other law or any custom is inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail, and that other law or custom shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

The involvement of the Patriotic League Uganda (PLU) raises the same concern. According to the Electoral Commission, PLU is not a registered political party, and the gazetted list of MPs for the 12th Parliament does not recognize any MPs from PLU.

Under what authority, then, does PLU engage in the process of electing the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament?

Thomas Paine wrote that “the law is king.” In Uganda, the Constitution is supreme. Any party constitution, custom, or practice that conflicts with it is void to the extent of that inconsistency.

The office of Speaker and Deputy Speaker must be contested on eligibility, not endorsement. Any sworn-in Member of Parliament is eligible.

Parliament must be allowed to operate according to the law—not according to the NRM Constitution, nor according to PLU’s customs.

Let the 12th Parliament choose its leaders in accordance with Article 82. Let appointments and approvals be done as the Constitution provides.

All else is null and void. As the saying goes, “he who would be a leader must first be a servant of the law.” Uganda’s democracy depends on adherence to that principle.

The Author of This Article is a political analyst.