By George Bukenya
Chaos in Democratic Party as the party’s vice president for Buganda region Fred Mukasa Mbidde publically declares his support for Anita Annet Among for the speakership position in the 12th Parliament.
Mbidde,the former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament while at Radio 4 talk show said that his party has not fronted anybody in speakership race and he is backing the incumbent speaker and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa.
He said that Mao can’t succeed in his bid for speakership because of the law requires that a party with the highest number of members takes the position of speakership yet DP has managed to bring only 6 members to the 12th parliament.
Besides that DP has an agreement with the ruling party and this explains why the opposition party didn’t front a candidate to challenge the NRM’s Museveni in the just concluded general elections.
‘’My party has only six MPs in coming Parliament, therefore we can’t logically front a candidate for the Speakership position. DP does not support Norbert Mao for speakership.’’ Mbidde said
He further openly declared his support for AAA and Thomas Tayebwa for the deputy speaker.
“I back Rt. Hon. Anita Among for Speakership and her deputy, and I call on our Party President, Mao, to give them his support too,” he asserted
Mbidde’s urgement come just after President Museveni who also doubles as National Chairman of the ruling party endorsing Among and Tayebwa as the party’s official candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
The endorsement followed resolutions adopted during the 8th meeting of the 5th Central Executive Committee (CEC)of the NRM held on February 20, 2026.
The Democratic Party President, Norbert Mao, recently officially declared his bid for Speaker of the next Parliament.
Speaking to journalists at the party headquarters along Balintuma road in Kampala, Mao said his countrywide consultations had ended and that he had gathered sufficient views and support from across the country to inform his decision to contest for the top legislative seat.
Mao asserted that if entrusted with the Speaker’s office, he would prioritise accountability, transparency and institutional integrity within Parliament.
He also said the legislature must reclaim its oversight role and ensure that public resources are managed responsibly.
However, the Democratic Party leader asked supporters and party members not to de-campaign him, saying he possesses the qualifications, experience and track record necessary to contest for the position.
The newly elected MP for also Laroo-pece described Uganda as having ended up with what he termed an “accidental Speaker” following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah in September 2022.
According to Mao, the current Speaker, Anita Among, assumed office due to unforeseen circumstances rather than as part of a long-term leadership plan for Parliament.
However, Among rejected the claims, noting that her election by 415 Members of Parliament demonstrated strong institutional legitimacy.
“There is no school for training for Speaker of Parliament. And there is no accidental Speaker of Parliament. The so-called accidental Speaker was voted by 415 Members of Parliament. Because of that, she automatically became the Speaker,” she said during the Women’s Day Breakfast at Parliament last Friday.
“By God’s grace, I will be the Speaker of the 12th Parliament. Thomas Tayebwa will be the Deputy Speaker.”
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