NRM in Turmoil as Speakership Battle Exposes Deep Rifts, “Bromance” Between Museveni and Among Questioned
KAMPALA — The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is facing internal chaos as the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament intensifies, with accusations of hypocrisy, power plays, and a weakening of democratic institutions dominating public discourse. During Monday night’s NBS Frontline show, a panel of political heavyweights—including government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, journalist Andrew Mwenda, and lawyer Salamu Musumba—laid bare the fractures within the party.
At the center of the storm is the current Speaker, Anita Among, whose growing political influence has become both her strength and her vulnerability.
The “Bromance” and Accumulated Power
Andrew Mwenda, who authored an article titled “The Museveni – Anita Among Bromance,” argued that the Speaker is being penalized for her own success. “Anita Among made the mistake of accumulating so much power and influence. She is a victim of her own success,” Mwenda said. He revealed that Among’s political machinery has long been intertwined with President Yoweri Museveni’s strategy, alleging that “Anita Among was taking a lot of money from Parliament to help Museveni build a political base.”
In a striking claim, Mwenda added that the controversy over a luxury Rolls-Royce gift was greenlit from the top. “When someone gave Anita Among that Rolls Royce, she asked Museveni if she should accept it and he gave a go-ahead,” Mwenda stated. He further questioned the selective nature of anti-corruption fights, noting that “people who have taken out of Uganda much more money… haven’t been attacked.”
Opondo Stands by Among, Defends Hugs and Loyalty
Despite growing pressure, Ofwono Opondo remained defiant in his support for Among. “I’m still team Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa until CEC withdraws their position and gives us a new candidate,” Opondo declared, adding that he had spent two joyful hours at her residence recently. “Regardless of what you think about her, Anita Among has a good persona. There is no one she can’t hug,” he said.
Opondo dismissed criticisms over luxury assets, arguing that “talking about a Rolls-Royce that can’t even run on a marram road to Bukedea is just peanuts.” He challenged investigators to provide daily updates, saying, “Since they have decided to play to the public gallery, I want the people leading the investigations against Anita Among to give us daily updates.”
On the speakership succession, Opondo clarified that he cannot support Jacob Oboth Oboth—a long-time political ally he once housed—because Oboth has not formally declared his interest. “Oboth Oboth, to the best of my knowledge, hasn’t declared interest in being Speaker. I cannot support someone who hasn’t declared his interest.”
NRM’s Foundation “Shaken” as Opondo Warns of Hijack
Salamu Musumba delivered a scathing assessment of the party’s condition. “The foundation of NRM has been shaken and it’s stumbling. They’ve gone against their own internal rules,” she charged. Musumba described the entire affair as a naked power struggle. “This is a power play. It’s about who holds the power of Parliament. The entire episode is shabby. They have messed up the whole institution of Parliament.”
She also rejected the corruption narrative as a weaponized tool. “They can’t cast the net wider. They have weaponized the word corruption. It’s a tool they use on who they want.”
In response, Opondo acknowledged internal dysfunction but warned of external meddling. “I think the NRM is being hijacked. We are going to have a caucus and I’m going to use it as a forum.” He also took a veiled swipe at pressure groups, asking, “Do we want to run NRM and government through a pressure group?”
Muhoozi, Frustration, and Opondo’s New Role
Mwenda noted that public frustration with democratic processes has fueled admiration for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. “People are very happy with Gen. Muhoozi. They think he has taken an action in Uganda that has been lacking. You can do a poll right now and Muhooqi is the most admired public figure in Uganda,” Mwenda said.
Meanwhile, Opondo, who recently entered Parliament, promised a more vocal role. “I’m now in Parliament. You’re now going to hear me more on issues of Uganda,” he said. He also clarified his oath-taking process after a challenge from Musumba. “In the constitution, you either swear by the holy book or make an affirmation. I did the solemn affirmation and you don’t need to mention God or have a holy book.”
As the NRM caucus looms, all eyes remain on whether the party will reaffirm Among or chart a new course. “I’m looking forward to the NRM caucus where we will determine the candidate for Speakership,” Opondo concluded.
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