Masindi District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Florence Asiimwe Akiiki, has declared her bid for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, positioning herself as the sixth contender in an increasingly competitive race for the top legislative seat.
In her declaration, Hon. Akiiki cast her candidature as a reform mission, arguing that Parliament has in recent years suffered a credibility deficit and requires firm leadership to restore public trust.
“Parliament Lacks Integrity”
Hon. Akiiki did not mince words about the state of the House.
She contends that the institution is grappling with declining public confidence, internal divisions, and perceptions of compromised oversight. According to her, the Speakership must rise above partisan maneuvering and reassert Parliament’s constitutional mandate as an independent arm of government.
“Parliament currently lacks integrity,” she said, adding that her focus would be on rebuilding credibility and strengthening institutional discipline.
Her remarks tap into a broader public debate about accountability, transparency, and the balance of power between the Legislature and the Executive.
A Reform-Focused Pitch
Unlike candidates anchoring their campaigns on party arithmetic, Hon. Akiiki is framing her bid around institutional reform.
She says her priorities include:
- Enforcing parliamentary rules without fear or favour
- Strengthening committee oversight functions
- Promoting ethical conduct among Members of Parliament
- Rebuilding public confidence in legislative processes
It is important to note that integrity and institutional strengthening are themes likely to resonate with sections of the public who feel Parliament has, at times, fallen short of its watchdog role.
The Expanding Field
Hon. Akiiki becomes the sixth aspirant to express interest in the Speakership of the 12th Parliament, signaling what is described as one of the most open contests in recent years.
The Speakership is one of the most influential offices in Uganda’s governance structure. The holder presides over plenary sittings, guides legislative procedure, and plays a key role in safeguarding parliamentary independence.
As the race gathers momentum, attention is shifting to how political parties and parliamentary caucuses will align behind individual candidates.
Integrity as Campaign Centerpiece
Hon. Akiiki’s campaign appears deliberately crafted around moral authority and institutional revival. By foregrounding integrity, she is positioning herself as a corrective voice within the House, a candidate who seeks to move beyond partisan rivalry toward procedural discipline and ethical restoration.
Whether that message translates into sufficient parliamentary backing remains to be seen. The Speakership is ultimately decided by Members of Parliament through a secret ballot, where political alliances and negotiation often play a decisive role.
For now, however, Hon. Akiiki has added a reformist tone to an already dynamic contest and placed institutional credibility at the heart of the debate over who should lead Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
