A group of youths affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has raised significant concerns regarding the alleged payment of Shs10 million to Members of Parliament to sway their support for the endorsement of Speaker and Deputy Speaker candidates. The youths, under the banner of the NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN), have now called on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to step in and address the legality of the endorsement of Anita Annet Among as Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker.
The NRN members have taken their grievances public, alleging that certain MPs were offered Shs10 million each to ensure the success of the endorsement ahead of the crucial parliamentary leadership elections in May. This claim has sparked a growing controversy, particularly regarding the timing and legality of the decision made by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).
The group has voiced concerns that the endorsement of the two leaders was rushed, happening before the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for the 12th Parliament had been fully established. According to them, this premature action violates both the procedural rules and the internal governance of the party.
Edgar Stuart Mugisha, a youth leader from Sheema District and a member of NRN, questioned how the CEC could endorse candidates when the Parliamentary Caucus was not yet fully constituted, as some MPs had not been sworn in, and the 11th Parliament was still active.
Mugisha highlighted that the endorsement process disregarded the NRM’s own Rules of Procedure, which govern the operations of the Parliamentary Caucus.
He further argued that such an approach could set a dangerous precedent for the party’s internal democracy, leading to concerns about transparency and accountability. His group, dissatisfied with the lack of response from President Museveni to their earlier petition, has now taken the matter to the High Court in a bid to challenge the endorsement process legally.
Ivan Mwijukye, another youth leader within the NRN, stressed that the NRM Parliamentary Caucus should only include sworn-in Members of Parliament, which has not yet occurred. This delay has only added to the growing questions surrounding the legitimacy of the endorsement. Mwijukye pointed out that the political, legal, and moral implications of such actions could have far-reaching consequences within the party and the country’s political landscape.
Julie Nakabugo, another activist, echoed these concerns, calling on Ugandan youths to rally behind the initiative to protect the NRM’s internal democracy. The movement believes that safeguarding the party’s procedural integrity is crucial for ensuring fair and transparent leadership choices. Meanwhile, other activists, like Peter Kivumbi, have accused the NRM Central Executive Committee of sidestepping proper procedures, urging the leadership to address the situation promptly to avoid further controversy.
Despite these mounting challenges, several individuals have come forward, expressing their interest in the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions for the 12th Parliament. Names such as Yorke Alioni, Norbert Mao, Lydia Wanyoto, and Florence Asiimwe Akiiki are now circulating as potential candidates, intensifying the political drama surrounding the leadership race.
As the youth group prepares for their court battle, the conflict within the NRM appears far from over. The NRN remains resolute in its fight for what it sees as the defense of democratic principles within the ruling party. The outcome of their legal challenge could have a lasting impact on both the party and the broader Ugandan political system.
