KAMPALA – Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, and her Deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, have been officially nominated by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party to run unopposed in the 2026 general elections.
The nominations, which took place on Thursday, solidify the positions of the country’s two top parliamentary officials ahead of the polls. Speaker Among was confirmed as the sole candidate for the Bukedea District Woman MP seat, while Deputy Speaker Tayebwa was unopposed for the Ruhinda North County constituency.
The process, however, was not without controversy. Reports emerged detailing circumstances surrounding Among’s nomination, including a missing opposition candidate from the National Unity Platform (NUP) party and accounts of security barriers being erected at nomination centers. These incidents have fueled allegations from opposition parties, who criticized the proceedings as indicative of a climate of political intimidation designed to clear the path for the incumbents.
In contrast, NRM supporters and the nominees themselves celebrated the outcome as a strong endorsement of their leadership. Thomas Tayebwa, who is seeking a third term, attributed his unopposed nomination to the success of his community development initiatives in his constituency.
The contrasting reactions highlight the deep political divisions in Uganda. While the ruling party and its supporters view the unopposed nominations as a testament to effective representation, opposition figures and critics see it as a sign of shrinking political space and a lack of fair competition.
The nominations position Among and Tayebwa to retain their parliamentary seats and, by extension, their powerful leadership roles in the house, barring any major political shifts before the 2026 elections.
About The Author
