KAMPALA, Uganda : Hon. Dr. Florence Akiki Asiimwe and Hon. Lydia Wanyoto have called on Tanga Odoi, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), to strictly follow the National Resistance Movement procedures in the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament, warning against premature endorsements and money influence.
The two leaders said all interested candidates, including Hon. Oboth Oboth, must formally express interest through the NRM Electoral Commission before any decisions are made.
“Dr. Tanga Odoi should not sleep on the job. The business of endorsement must stop. Hon. Oboth Oboth must also go through the right procedure like every other candidate,” they said during a press briefing.
Dr. Florence Akiki Asiimwe, the Woman Member of Parliament for Masindi District, said the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Rules of Procedure clearly outline the process for electing candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
She explained that any interested member must write formally to the chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission expressing interest before the Central Executive Committee (CEC) considers names for recommendation to the caucus.
“We are a party governed by rules and procedures. Nobody should be declared endorsed before the process is followed,” Dr. Asiimwe said.
She cited Rule 9 of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Rules, which provides that all elected NRM Members of Parliament are eligible to contest for Speaker or Deputy Speaker and that the Electoral Commission chairperson must organize nominations and elections before Parliament’s first sitting scheduled for May 25.
Dr. Asiimwe dismissed social media claims suggesting that certain candidates had already been endorsed, saying there is a difference between “recommendation” and “endorsement.”
“Recommendation does not close the race. Endorsement means the competition is over. People have been misleading the public,” she said.
She also questioned the authenticity of a letter circulating on social media allegedly endorsing candidates for the parliamentary leadership positions, citing grammatical errors and possible misuse of electronic signatures.
According to Dr. Asiimwe, many MPs had previously feared expressing interest in the Speakership race because of the influence of outgoing Speaker Anita Among.
She alleged that money had heavily influenced leadership politics in Parliament, making it difficult for candidates without financial resources to compete fairly.
“The positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker had been turned into positions for money. Those without money were not allowed to speak,” she claimed.
Dr. Asiimwe further alleged that some MPs openly demanded money in exchange for support during internal campaigns.
“I told them I would not even give them one thousand shillings for soda. Leadership should not be bought,” she said.
She added that she had written letters to senior government officials asking for political intervention, arguing that Parliament needed leadership free from corruption and intimidation.
Meanwhile, Lydia Wanyoto said consultations among NRM members were ongoing ahead of the first sitting of Parliament and emphasized that the final decision must be made through the party caucus.
“We are adults and we know what to do. Before Parliament sits on May 25, we must have a proper caucus process to choose flag bearers for Speaker and Deputy Speaker,” Wanyoto said.
She explained that discussions among interested candidates and stakeholders were informal consultations aimed at building consensus and improving the leadership of the 12th Parliament.
Wanyoto noted that while some members had publicly supported Oboth Oboth for Speaker, the official process had not yet begun.
“What is happening now are consultations, not the official process. Nobody should assume the race is closed before the caucus sits,” she said.
She also defended the right of any qualified member to contest, saying Parliament needed mature, professional, and accountable leaders capable of restoring confidence in the institution.
“We fought this battle when many people were silent because of fear and intimidation. Now people are gaining courage to speak out,” she added.
The two leaders maintained that the NRM must uphold transparency and fairness in choosing the next parliamentary leadership, insisting that all candidates should be given an equal opportunity to contest through the established party procedures.
