In what appears to be a repeat of past electoral patterns, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa have once again secured parliamentary nominations unopposed ahead of the 2026–31 term under the banner of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The development has stirred a wave of reactions from the opposition, in particular the National Unity Platform (NUP). Opposition president Robert Kyagulanyi “Bobi Wine” took to X to allege the abduction of NUP candidate Florence Asio while en route to the Electoral Commission (EC) offices in Bukedea to file her nominations for the Woman MP slot — following what he described as “armed intimidation” of her family two days earlier.
Earlier in the day, different representatives from various media houses and other opposition aspirants were denied access to Bukedeanomination centres or were otherwise sidelined. This includes reports of registrants being struck off the voters’ register by the EC in Among’s Bukedea constituency.
Adds the Eagle Online article: Among, who also serves as the Woman MP for Bukedea and as the 2nd National Vice-Chairperson of the NRM, thanked her supporters:
“To my people in Bukedea, I want to express my love and gratitude for the overwhelming support you showed towards me and the NRM flag-bearers during our nominations today.”
She urged supporters to translate their enthusiasm into votes for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and other NRM candidates nationwide.
Similarly, Tayebwa—nominated unopposed as the NRM flag-bearer for Ruhinda North Constituency in Mitooma District—had this to say:
“Thank you Ruhinda North for sending me unopposed to represent you in Parliament 2026-31. It is a challenge I appreciate. I will deliver.”
He pledged to focus on education, healthcare, water access and tourism, noting the potential of his constituency’s proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Imaramagambo Forest.
The opposition says these recurring unopposed wins among key ruling-party figures highlight deeper issues within Uganda’s electoral process. Indeed, this isn’t the first time: Among was declared unopposed in 2021, shortly after joining the NRM, in a term marked by complaints of blocked competitors; and Tayebwa also first entered Parliament unopposed in 2016.
For its part, the EC has yet to issue a detailed public comment on Asio’s alleged abduction or the intimidation claims. But the confluence of the denial of opponent access, removed registrants and unopposed candidacies has amplified calls from NUP and others for a more level pre-election playing field.
Both Anita Annet Among and Thomas Tayebwa have steadily risen through Uganda’s political ranks within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Among, a former lecturer and accountant, entered Parliament in 2011 as an independent before officially joining the NRM in 2020. She has since served as Bukedea Woman MP, deputy Speaker and then elected Speaker of Parliament in 2022 following the death of Jacob Oulanyah. Tayebwa, a lawyer and entrepreneur, began his national political career in 2016 when he was elected Ruhinda North MP under the NRM. He later served as Government Chief Whip before being elevated to Deputy Speaker in 2022.
