Speaker Anita Among
A National Resistance Movement (NRM) pressure group has called for sweeping political and party reforms, including subjecting the race for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament to internal party processes involving all NRM Members of Parliament.
The NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN), a youth-led platform describing itself as ideologically driven, on Saturday unveiled a reform agenda it says is aimed at strengthening democracy, accountability, and institutional governance in Uganda.
CEC recently endorsed Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa for another term in office.
Addressing the media, the group said it wants the endorsement of candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker to be decided by the full NRM Parliamentary Caucus, rather than a small circle of top party leaders.
“The Caucus, composed of all elected NRM Members of Parliament, represents the collective political mandate of the party in the House,” said Ivan Mwijukye, a youth leader from Ibanda. “It is therefore only logical and democratic that MPs fully participate in the birth and endorsement of Speakership candidates.”
According to the NRN, empowering the caucus would enhance cohesion within the party and respect the mandate MPs receive from voters.
Beyond parliamentary leadership, the group also called for deeper internal democracy within the NRM, proposing that key party positions—including Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Treasurer, and the leadership of the NRM Electoral Commission—be elected by the party’s Delegates Conference.
“Leadership that comes directly from delegates carries stronger legitimacy, greater accountability, and deeper grassroots ownership,” said Jamil Kazibwe, a member of the NRN. “A modern revolutionary movement cannot thrive on excessive centralization.”
In a broader national proposal, the group urged Uganda to consider adopting a Presidential Electoral College system, where citizens elect Members of Parliament and MPs subsequently elect the President.
NRN argued that nationwide presidential campaigns have become excessively expensive, placing heavy burdens on the state through logistics, security, and mobilization.
“Countries such as South Africa elect their President through Parliament, while India uses an Electoral College model,” Kazibwe said. “These systems offer stability, cost efficiency, and institutional order—values Uganda must now prioritize.”
The pressure group further proposed a Government of National Unity approach under what it termed a “Checks and Balances” initiative. It suggested that competent opposition figures with strong professional backgrounds be considered for non-partisan accountability offices such as the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Deputy IGG, and Auditor General.
According to the NRN, fighting corruption and mismanagement should be treated as a national mission rather than a partisan undertaking.
The group said its proposals reflect a generational push for reform and institutional renewal.
“We are not here to decorate politics; we are here to shape its future,” the statement reads. “Uganda’s next phase demands courage, structure, and bold ideas, and the youth are ready to lead that charge.”
DP’s Norbert Mao is reportedly eying the Speaker’s seat.
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