1. Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among — The Incumbent Power Broker

Profile & current positioning:

Anita Annet Among is the incumbent Speaker of the 11th Parliament and has been widely reported as seeking to retain the Speakership in the 12th Parliament. She was elected unopposed as Bukedea District Woman MP and has held the Speaker role since 2022 after succeeding the late Jacob Oulanyah. She also holds significant influence within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), having won a key party leadership seat with a landslide and serving in the party’s Central Executive Committee. 

What she brings to the table:

• Continuity & experience: Having presided over the House, Among understands parliamentary procedure and has established relationships across the political spectrum.
• Party backing: The NRM’s Central Executive Committee formally endorsed Among to continue as Speaker — a strong institutional advantage in a Parliament where her party holds majority seats.  
• Strategic alliances: Recent engagements with influential community leaders suggest she is actively broadening her support base ahead of the vote.  

Assessment:

Among’s tenure has been marked by political stability in leadership but also criticism about Parliament’s independence. She is often seen as aligned with the Executive and ruling party, which will be an asset for a government-majority House but a liability for those demanding more robust parliamentary oversight. 

📌 For a more assertive and accountable Parliament, her experience is a strong asset — but many civil society voices argue that symbolic continuity must be balanced with institutional reform. 

2. Norbert Mao — The Coalition Bridge-Builder

Profile & Competence:

Norbert Mao is a veteran politician, lawyer, former long-serving legislator and current Justice Minister in President Museveni’s Cabinet. He is also President of the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda’s oldest political party, and has contested for national leadership positions in previous cycles. His legal background and lengthy public service make him one of the most experienced contenders outside the ruling party ranks. 

What he proposes:

Mao is positioning his bid not just as a symbolic opposition candidacy but as a bargaining tool — using the Speakership race to push for a more inclusive and cooperative Parliament. His style often emphasises consensus-building and legal rigor. Analysts note that his leadership could appeal to MPs seeking a less partisan and more stable legislative environment. 

Strengths:

• Legal acumen: Mao’s legal background positions him well to champion rule-based legislative practices and stronger procedural oversight.  
• Cross-party appeal: His cooperation strategies with the ruling party could foster dependability for a legislative presidency that can navigate a divided House.  

Challenges:

His biggest hurdle is numerical. DP holds a tiny fraction of seats compared to the NRM majority, and many analysts regard his bid as strategic positioning rather than a likely outcome.  

3. Persis Namuganza — The Accountability Crusader

Profile & Ambition:

Persis Namuganza, State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development and MP-elect for Bukono, has declared her intention to run for Speaker in a bold challenge to the status quo. Her campaign centres on reforming Parliament’s image and enhancing accountability, especially to curb corruption and restore dignity to the institution. 

What she brings:

• Reform rhetoric: Namuganza promises leadership that prioritises transparency and parliamentary credibility — critical for public confidence in the legislature.  
• Broad outreach claims: She asserts having support across political lines, including from both opposition and dissatisfied ruling party members.  

Considerations:

Her political journey has been contentious — including past disciplinary actions in Parliament — which could both energise supporters who want a shake-up and repel those wary of past controversies. 

4. Lydia Wanyoto — The Diplomat with Regional Appeal

Profile & Strengths:

Lydia Wanyoto is a lawyer and seasoned diplomat who has served at senior levels in the African Union and represented Uganda abroad. As the newly elected Mbale City Woman MP, she brings international experience and a reputation for strategic communication. 

Her pitch for Speakership:

Wanyoto frames her bid around regional inclusion and broad appeal. Drawing on her diplomatic background and leadership within the National Resistance Movement’s Women’s League, she argues that Uganda needs a Speaker who understands both national and international governance standards. 

Advantages:

• Diplomatic experience: Her AU background implies stronger procedural and institutional knowledge, potentially strengthening Parliament’s standing externally.  
• Gender representation and regional balance: Her candidature might appeal to MPs seeking diversity in leadership and a break from the traditional power focus.  

Challenges:

While her profile is strong, she will need substantial coalition-building in a House where intra-party politics and endorsements significantly shape leadership outcomes.

What Uganda Needs in Its Next Speaker (and Parliament)

Ugandans — from civil society to political analysts — repeatedly stress that effectiveness isn’t just about personalities but institutional capacity. A strong Speaker for the 12th Parliament would ideally:

• Strengthen parliamentary oversight over the Executive and state resources rather than rubber-stamp government policies.  
• Uphold procedural independence and fairness in debate, committee work, and legislative scrutiny.  
• Promote transparency and accountability within Parliament itself, to boost public confidence.  
• Institutionalise capacity building for new MPs and sustain continuity in policymaking.  

The speakership race is more than a power struggle: it’s a bellwether for how Uganda’s legislature navigates its role between executive dominance and democratic accountability. Who ultimately wins will send a powerful signal about the direction of governance in Uganda’s next five years.