.Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among has formally announced her intention to challenge East African Community Affairs Minister, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga for the position of second deputy National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson in 2025. This position, currently held by Kadaga, is third in the NRM hierarchy and grants membership to the influential Central Executive Committee (CEC), the ruling party’s second-highest decision-making body.
The CEC plays a pivotal role in shaping NRM’s political strategy, formulating policy, and supervising day-to-day party operations. It is also responsible for appointing key functionaries and advancing the party’s policies nationwide. The coveted position of second deputy vice-chairperson has allowed Kadaga, the Kamuli District Woman Member of Parliament and former Speaker of Parliament, to remain a central figure in the party since first securing it in 2005.
Among announced her bid during a meeting with the Uganda Urban Council Speakers Association at Parliament, where the association’s chairperson, Mr. Bonny Tashobya, urged her to vie for the eastern region vice-chairperson seat held by Mike Mukula. However, Among dismissed this suggestion, asserting her intention to contest for the national female vice-chairperson position instead. “I am not standing for vice-chairperson of the eastern region. I am going to stand for national vice-chairperson, Female. I represent the whole country, not just the eastern region,” she declared.
Kadaga, who retained the position in the 2020 NRM primaries by defeating Hon. Persis Namuganza with 6,776 votes against Namuganza’s 4,943, has yet to comment on Among’s challenge. Her silence comes amidst a series of veiled attacks by Among over the past months.
In March 2024, during rallies in Bukedea and Buyende districts, Among accused unnamed individuals of orchestrating exposés about dubious parliamentary expenditures, which were published on social media. She suggested these actions were part of a campaign to discredit her and reclaim the Speaker’s seat, indirectly referencing Kadaga.
“Somebody was Speaker for 20 years. What did she do for you people? The people fighting me are fighting you. It’s time to send away these old women causing problems,” Among said, a remark widely interpreted as targeting Rebecca Kadaga.
NRM Director of Communications Emmanuel Dombo revealed that preparations for the elections are ongoing, with the party digitizing its membership register. The CEC is expected to announce the election schedule early next year.
As the rivalry escalates, Kadaga remains publicly silent, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in 2025.
