KAMPALA.
Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea District Woman MP Anita Among has rejected Justice Minister Norbert Mao’s description of her as an “accidental Speaker,” insisting she was legitimately elected by Parliament and reaffirming her intention to seek the Speakership in the 12th Parliament.
Recently , Mr Mao described Among as an “accidental Speaker” of the 11th Parliament.
Responding during Parliament’s Women’s Day breakfast meeting, Among rejected the claim and defended the legitimacy of her election to the country’s top legislative office.
“There are no accidental legislators, and there is no accidental Speaker,” Among said. “I was elected by over 400 Members of Parliament.”
Her remarks appeared to question Mao’s motives for the comment as she signaled confidence about her political future.
Among said she intends to continue serving and expressed confidence about retaining the Speakership in the upcoming 12th Parliament.
Those eying Among’s seat include Mr Mao, Aringa South MP Yorke Odria, Mbale City Woman MP-elect Lydia Wanyoto (NRM), and Masindi District Woman MP Dr Asiimwe Florence Akiiki (NRM).
Early this week , President Museveni signed the ruling party NRM’s top organ endorsement of Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa for another term in the stewardship of the August House.
This came after the President, 81 who has ruled Uganda for nearly a half a century and still counting , ratified the Central Executive Committee (CEC) resolutions dated January 27 and 20th February 2026.
The endorsements now await presentation to the NRM parliamentary caucus for formal adoption ahead of the speakership race in the 12th Parliament.
The Speaker also revealed that Members of Parliament-elect from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and independents will attend a retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi from April 7 to April 14, 2026. The retreat will precede the swearing-in of the new Parliament scheduled for May 13 to May 15, 2026.
The Women’s Day breakfast meeting featured Justice Catherine Bamugemereire as the keynote speaker. Bamugemereire used the occasion to highlight the need to strengthen legal aid services in order to address persistent barriers that prevent many women from accessing justice.
“Women must seek genuine representation and avoid unnecessary competition that could harm their careers,” Bamugemereire said.
Among’s supporters say her tenure as Speaker reflects the confidence Parliament and her political allies have placed in her leadership.
According to Article 82 of the Constitution, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by MPs from among themselves, with the vote conducted by secret ballot under the supervision of the Chief Justice or a designated judge.
Parliament’s Rules of Procedure require the election of the Speaker from sitting MPs, with a secret ballot if the position is contested.