Minister for Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiire has said Uganda needs a Speaker of Parliament who is honest, disciplined and capable of restoring dignity to the House, as debate over the next leadership of Parliament gathers momentum within the ruling National Resistance Movement.

Otafiire made the remarks shortly after Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony when he was asked about the debate surrounding the race for Speaker of Parliament ahead of the 2026 political transition.

“I need a Speaker who is honest and truthful, one who restores dignity and respect to our Parliament. Not a hypocrite, not a thief and not a person of immoral behaviour,”Otafiire said.

The Ruhinda North MP was responding to concerns about the public image of the 11th Parliament, which has in recent years faced criticism over corruption allegations, controversial expenditures, and claims of extravagance.

However, he said that he has not been on the floor of Parliament ever since the term begun and revealed that he was busy with committee engagements.

“I was concentrating on ministry work and committee assignments, but I was also shocked by some of the things I saw happening,” he said.

The veteran minister added that he largely focused on his responsibilities at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and avoided internal parliamentary conflicts that dominated public debate.

Otafiire’s remarks came on the same day Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly endorsed Oboth Oboth for the Speakership position.

In the morning posts shared on his official X account, Muhoozi suggested that the decision on the next Speaker had already been settled ahead of the NRM caucus meeting expected to be chaired by President Yoweri Museveni.

“He has been the best Minister in our government for the past 5 years. I want to be the first to endorse him for Speaker of Parliament (2026-2031). God bless Hon. Oboth-Oboth!” Muhoozi posted.

The endorsement immediately sparked fresh political debate within ruling party circles, with many interpreting it as a major signal regarding the future leadership of Parliament.

The development is also likely to raise fresh questions over the political future of Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa as discussions around possible changes at the top of Parliament continue to emerge.

In another post, Muhoozi openly declared that the ruling camp had already chosen its preferred candidate.

“We have already made our decision on the new Speaker (a man). Men were born to lead. That’s the natural order of things,” he said.

The CDF further dismissed suggestions of a contest for the position, insisting the matter had already been decided.

“There is no Speakership battle. Our God, Jesus Christ, won that battle a long time ago. We already have our new Speaker. Supported by UPDF! No one should even dream of trying me. I will not stop for anything,” Muhoozi said.

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Newly sworn-in Masaka City Woman MP, Justine Nameere Nsubuga, has been arrested by heavily armed security operatives believed to be attached to the Special Forces Command in a dramatic operation that unfolded in Masaka City.

Sources told Eagle Online that Nameere was picked up at around 8:30pm while moving in a convoy shortly after attending activities linked to her thanksgiving celebrations and preparations for a swearing in dinner.

Eyewitnesses said the legislator’s convoy was intercepted near Tropic Inn Hotel in Masaka City by armed operatives traveling in what witnesses described as a “drone” van commonly associated with military security operations.

According to sources on ground, there was a brief exchange of gunfire between the armed personnel and Nameere’s Personal Protection Guard before the security officer was overpowered and disarmed.

“She was surrounded immediately after the convoy slowed down. The security personnel fired in the air before disarming her guard and taking her away,” a source familiar with the incident said.

Her whereabouts by press time remained unknown.

The dramatic arrest came just hours after the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, issued a series of explosive posts on X widely interpreted as targeting Nameere and Speaker Anita Annet Among amid the intensifying battle for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament.

“All those who were benefiting from her corruption money should advise her to stand down and not provoke Sabalwanyi,” Muhoozi posted Friday evening.

He added that, “General Museveni will never allow a repeat of the drama that once happened between the late Jacob Oulanyah and Rebecca Kadaga during the last Speakership race.”

Earlier in the day, Muhoozi had also issued another pointed warning believed to be directed at Nameere.

“I advise some ladies to steer clear of some of these issues. It doesn’t matter how many times Mzee calls you. That doesn’t make you amount to anything,” he posted.

He later escalated the remarks further, saying, “Those who doubt my power in my country, try me now and find out. No one should even dream of trying me. I will not stop for anything.”

The fallout involving Nameere exploded after the newly elected MP openly defended Speaker Among following the Patriotic League of Uganda’s decision to withdraw support for her Speakership bid.

In recent days, Nameere had launched sharp attacks against top PLU figures including Secretary General Daudi Kabanda, accusing some members within the movement of turning against Among despite previously backing her.

Nameere had increasingly positioned herself among key mobilisers defending Among within ruling NRM circles as pressure mounted on the Speaker over corruption allegations and extravagant spending claims.

The tensions escalated further after Muhoozi publicly endorsed Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth for Speaker, signaling a major shift within powerful state circles.

“We have already made our decision on the new Speaker, a man. Men were born to lead. That’s the natural order of things,” Muhoozi posted earlier Friday.

The developments also come amid mounting scrutiny against Speaker Among following petitions seeking investigations into alleged breaches of the Leadership Code Act and wealth declaration requirements.

By late Friday night, neither the UPDF nor the police had issued an official statement regarding Nameere’s arrest.

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The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has confirmed receiving and processing a petition seeking investigations into Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among over alleged breaches of the Leadership Code Act related to declaration of wealth.

Inspector General of Government Aisha Batala Naluzze said the complaint had formally been received by her office and was undergoing the required legal and administrative procedures before investigations commence.

“I can tell you we received the complaint, and we’re processing it,” Justice Batala said while responding to questions from journalists in Kampala on Friday.

The petition, filed on May 13, 2026 by a group of lawyers and activists, accuses Among of allegedly failing to declare or under-declaring her wealth, income, assets and liabilities as required under Uganda’s Leadership Code Act.

The complainants, who described themselves as citizens and taxpayers, cited Section 4 of the Leadership Code Act which requires public leaders to declare their income, assets and liabilities every two years during the month of March.

“We accordingly lodge this complaint regarding failure to declare and/or under declaration of wealth by the aforementioned Anita Annet Among,” part of the petition reads.

The lawyers further requested the Inspectorate to furnish them with Among’s declaration records, if any exist, under Section 22 of the Leadership Code Act.

Among the signatories to the petition are Andrew Karamagi, Mercy Munduru, Kato Tumusiime, Gift Grace Achilla, Praise Aloikin and Godwin Toko.

The development comes amid growing public scrutiny over Among’s wealth and lifestyle following reports that she recently acquired a Rolls Royce Cullinan reportedly valued at about Shs3.4 billion. The luxury vehicle has worried the public over accountability, corruption and the display of wealth by senior public officials.

The Speaker has also remained under international scrutiny since 2024 when the United Kingdom and the United States imposed sanctions against her and several former parliamentary commissioners over corruption allegations linked to the misappropriation of iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.

The sanctions included travel restrictions and asset freezes, escalating pressure on one of Uganda’s most powerful political figures.

Justice Batala said the Inspectorate would independently review the allegations and determine whether further investigations are warranted.

“When we receive complaints, we have procedures to follow. We received the complaint and we are processing it,” she said.

She also encouraged Ugandans to continue reporting suspected cases of illicit enrichment, abuse of office and unexplained wealth among public officials.

“We encourage members of the public to continue identifying public officers’ assets and possible flamboyant lifestyles and report to the IGG for investigation,” Batala added.

Under the Leadership Code Act, public officials found guilty of false declaration, non-declaration or under-declaration of assets may face penalties including dismissal from office, demotion, confiscation of undeclared assets and prosecution.

The petition against Among comes at a politically sensitive moment as the race for leadership of the 12th Parliament intensifies, with internal divisions emerging within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) over the next Speaker.

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The Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has revealed the endorsement of Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth for Speaker of Parliament, confirming that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is preparing a new parliamentary leadership team.

Reliable security sources had on Thursday evening confirmed to Eagle Online that the arrangement is backed within influential party and security circles and will front Oboth Oboth for Speaker and Norbert Mao for Deputy Speaker ahead of next week’s crucial NRM caucus meeting.

Although Muhoozi publicly stated that Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa “has no problems,” a reliable source told Eagle Online that sections of the party leadership have already lined up Mao, the Laroo-Pece legislator and Democratic Party President General, for the Deputy Speaker position. However, the same source said that there is fear that leaving Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker was likely to ignite sentiments from Teso, where Anita Among hails from, and therefore, the need for Tayebwa to exit as well. It is also said that both are likely to end in the cabinet as a soft landing.

In a series of posts via his official X (formerly Twitter) ccount, Muhoozi declared that the decision on the next Speaker had already been made and signaled strong backing from influential state and party circles ahead of the caucus meeting expected to be chaired by President Yoweri Museveni.

“He has been the best Minister in our government for the past 5 years. I want to be the first to endorse him for Speaker of Parliament (2026-2031). God bless Hon. Oboth-Oboth!” Muhoozi posted.

The development places Speaker Anita Among and Tayebwa under increasing pressure as senior party figures reportedly push for changes in Parliament’s top leadership.

“We have already made our decision on the new Speaker (a man). Men were born to lead. That’s the natural order of things,” Muhoozi wrote.

In another post, the CDF said the Speakership race was already settled.

“There is no Speakership battle. Our God Jesus Christ won that battle a long time ago. We already have our new Speaker. Supported by UPDF! No one should even dream of trying me. I will not stop for anything,” he said.

Muhoozi however sought to reassure Tayebwa, describing him as politically safe despite the unfolding developments.

“Hon. Tayebwa is a very good man. He is my younger brother. He has no problems. He is protected!”

Top NRM sources yesterday told Eagle Online that the party caucus is expected to sit next week to formally endorse candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker ahead of the next parliamentary term.

“The caucus will sit and the chairman will unveil the names they are going to endorse for speakership,” a senior source said.

Multiple insiders say support for replacing Among has been growing within sections of the party and security establishment over concerns surrounding corruption allegations, internal divisions and the political cost of controversies linked to Parliament.

Sources also point to Among’s recent confrontation with Mao during the NRM retreat in Kyankwanzi as one of the incidents that further damaged relations with sections of the party leadership.

During the retreat, Among said cooperation between political parties should not extend to sharing strategic positions like the Speakership.

“We do cooperate with other political parties, but it does not mean that if we are cooperating you come up to my bedroom; you remain in the compound. The bedroom this time round is the Speakership,” Among said.

Mao responded sharply, accusing the Speaker of disrespecting the party chairman and undermining party discipline.

“This is not just bad politics. It is bad manners,” Mao said.

He added, “Only the head of the family has the final word on who can access which room in the home. He does not need lectures from a recently adopted child.”

Sources say sections of the NRM leadership viewed Among’s remarks as an indirect attack on President Museveni, who had sanctioned Mao’s presence at the retreat.

The fallout has also drawn in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), whose Secretary General Daudi Kabanda recently defended announcements from the group regarding anticipated changes in parliamentary leadership.

“This is not the first instance in which PLU has disagreed with the Speaker on matters of corruption,” Kabanda said.

He added, “When the Commissioners, led by Hon. Afoyochan, awarded themselves UGX 400 million each, we supported the petition against them and also signed the censure motion.”

Kabanda’s remarks were interpreted as a direct response to attacks from supporters of the Speaker, including social media commentator Jennifer Nakangubi, popularly known as Full Figure Namere, who has recently become vocal against PLU figures and those backing changes in Parliament leadership.

Sources within the ruling party say there is increasing concern over alleged coordinated online attacks and propaganda campaigns linked to individuals close to the Speaker as the Speakership contest intensifies ahead of 2026.

Among has in recent months faced criticism over extravagant spending, including her acquisition of a Rolls Royce reportedly valued at more than Shs2.2 billion and her multi-billion mansion in Bukedea, both of which sparked debate within political circles and on social media.

Muhoozi’s endorsement of Oboth Oboth is expected to significantly influence the direction of next week’s NRM caucus meeting, which will change the future leadership of Parliament.

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Top sources within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have told Eagle Online that Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa are not to return to the helm of Parliament as the party prepares for a crucial caucus meeting expected next week.

Highly placed sources say the NRM caucus, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, is expected to sit on Tuesday to endorse candidates for the next Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions ahead of the new parliamentary term. 

Multiple insiders told Eagle Online that the party leadership has already tilted towards a new team amid growing concerns over alleged divisions within the party, corruption claims and internal power struggles linked to the current parliamentary leadership.

According to senior sources familiar with the ongoing consultations, several names are being considered to replace Among and Tayebwa, among them Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Democratic Party President General, Norbert Mao, Defence and Veterans Minister, Jacob Oboth Oboth, and Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament, Lydia Wanyoto.

The caucus will sit and the chairman will unveil the names they are going to endorse for speakership

One senior source revealed that there is overwhelming evidence within security and party circles suggesting the current leadership of Parliament had become politically costly for the ruling party.

The sources further claimed that Among’s recent remarks directed at Mao during the NRM retreat in Kyankwanzi reportedly angered sections of the party leadership. During the retreat, Among allegedly described Mao as an outsider despite his presence at the event reportedly being sanctioned by President Museveni.

Her utterances towards Nobert Mao in Kyankwanzi were uncalled for because Mao was a guest of the party chairman. By saying he was an outsider, she was undermining the chairman’s invitation.

The unfolding developments come amid persistent allegations surrounding the management of Parliament, including claims of irregular financial distributions to staff, procurement controversies and accusations of extravagant spending.

Among has in recent months faced criticism from both opposition figures and sections of the ruling establishment over excessive display of wealth and opulence at a time when many Ugandans continue to struggle economically.

Her acquisition of a luxurious Rolls Royce reportedly valued at over Shs2.2 billion sparked widespread public debate earlier this year. The Speaker has also faced scrutiny over her multi billion mansion in Bukedea District, which has frequently been showcased on social media.

Even Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba appeared to weigh into the debate in recent months through a series of social media posts criticizing what he described as excessive extravagance among some public officials, comments that many political observers interpreted as being directed at Among and her allies.

The reported move to drop Among and Tayebwa also appears to have gained support following recent statements by Daudi Kabanda, the Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda, who publicly defended announcements made by the PLU camp regarding the anticipated changes in parliamentary leadership.

Kabanda, while responding to critics on social media and during political discussions, insisted he had every right to communicate positions from the group because he speaks on behalf of the organisation’s leadership.

“If it were you as a journalist, who brought you here? To do what? To cover what I’m speaking,” Kabanda reportedly said while defending his statements.

He added that as Secretary General, he only communicates what has been agreed upon by those who mandate him to speak on their behalf.

Kabanda’s remarks carried weight because he has previously been viewed as politically close to Among and had in earlier months publicly defended her leadership.

Sources now claim there are growing concerns within influential NRM and security circles that some individuals around the Speaker are allegedly using social media activist and political commentator Jennifer Nakangubi, popularly known as Full Figure Namere, to wage smear campaigns against perceived opponents within the ruling establishment.

Eagle Online has reliably learned that sections of the ruling party leadership have become increasingly uncomfortable with what insiders describe as coordinated online attacks, propaganda and internal mobilization efforts believed to be deepening divisions within the party ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Despite the growing speculation, neither Among nor Tayebwa had publicly responded to the claims by Thursday evening.

The exchange between Norbert Mao and Speaker Anita Among has escalated into one of the most direct political confrontations inside the NRM Speakership race, after Mao rejected remarks made by the Speaker during the ongoing Kyankwanzi leadership retreat.

Mao described Among’s comments as disrespectful and politically inappropriate, arguing that they undermined both party discipline and the authority of the NRM leadership structure.

 “This is not just bad politics. It is bad manners,”he said. 

He further sharpened his response using a metaphor rooted in hierarchy and authority within a political family, insisting that leadership decisions cannot be challenged in the manner he believes was exhibited.

“Only the head of the family has the final word on who can access which room in the home. He does not need lectures from a recently adopted child,”he stated.

He further added that any insult directed at guests of the party chairman amounted to an insult against the chairman himself, reinforcing his position that internal party respect had been breached.

The remarks by Mao were a direct response to an earlier statement by Among at the NRM leadership retreat in Kyankwanzi, where she emphasized that political cooperation between parties does not automatically translate into sharing key parliamentary leadership positions such as the Speakership.

“We do cooperate with other political parties, but it does not mean that if we are cooperating you come up to my bedroom; you remain in the compound. The bedroom this time round is the Speakership. You cannot cooperate to the tune of Speakership,”she said. 

Her remarks have since generated intense debate within NRM circles, with supporters interpreting them as a firm defense of the ruling party’s control over strategic parliamentary positions, while politically exclusionary and overly personalized in tone.

The sharp back-and-forth has further exposed cracks within the ruling party as the race for the Speakership of the 12th Parliament intensifies, with competing camps increasingly adopting open political messaging rather than internal consultations. 

What was previously expected to be a structured endorsement process has now taken on a more competitive and confrontational character, reflecting deeper struggles over influence and authority within the party hierarchy.

Speaker Anita Among previously featured in international accountability discussions after public calls in 2023 from sections of civil society organisations and anti-corruption campaigners urging the United States to consider sanctions over alleged corruption-related conduct. The calls were largely driven by allegations linked to misuse of public office, procurement concerns, and financial impropriety, which were raised in both local and international advocacy spaces.

The debate gained traction after U.S.-based rights and governance advocacy groups publicly petitioned for her inclusion under targeted accountability measures applied to foreign officials accused of corruption. These calls circulated widely in media and political commentary, further amplifying scrutiny around her leadership of Parliament.

However, there has been no publicly confirmed formal designation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) placing Among on an official sanctions list. Despite this, her name has continued to appear in recurring discussions on governance and accountability involving Ugandan political leadership, keeping the issue active in both domestic and international political discourse.

However, the caucus meeting will become the most consequential internal NRM political session in recent years, aiming to balance power within Parliament and the ruling party itself.

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