Muhoozi’s PLU Turns Against Among, Tayebwa in Explosive Speakership Shake-Up

The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has formally withdrawn its endorsement of Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the top positions in Uganda’s 12th Parliament, throwing the race wide open just days before the new legislature convenes.

In a statement read by the party’s Secretary General, David Kabanda, PLU said it would announce fresh candidates for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker roles. Kabanda, who had in March 2026 personally signed a letter directing all PLU-affiliated MPs-elect to back Among and Tayebwa, offered no specific names as replacements, only confirming that the earlier endorsement was no longer in force.

The reversal follows days of mounting pressure from within PLU’s own ranks. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and PLU’s chairman, signalled the shift in a post on X, writing that “ALL PLU MPs and PLU leaning MPs will vote for whoever the President and Commander-in-Chief endorses.” The message was widely read as a public distancing from Among and Tayebwa, whose re-election had until recently appeared all but certain.

Kabanda appeared to hint at a new direction when he posted, “The PLU Candidates for Speakership shall win massively,” suggesting the movement may back a different candidate altogether. He later reinforced the pivot, writing on social media: “In PLU we follow Afande Muhoozi’s guidance. As his disciple, I implement all his directives and decisions.”

The backdrop to the fallout is partly tied to controversy surrounding Among’s recently acquired Rolls Royce, reportedly worth more than Shs2 billion. Muhoozi addressed the matter directly, writing: “I have been Mzee’s son for 52 years but I have never sat in a Rolls Royce ever. I don’t think Mzee has sat in one either,” before adding: “Our job is to SERVE Ugandans not ourselves. I cannot support corruption.”

President Museveni further unsettled the earlier assumptions when, during the ongoing NRM retreat in Kyankwanzi, he said: “We shall discuss that at the right time because CEC had recommended that we maintain the two… because it had become a tradition,” suggesting the matter was not yet closed.

PLU had originally backed Among and Tayebwa in a letter dated March 11, 2026, citing guidance from Muhoozi and alignment with the NRM Central Executive Committee’s decision. The letter called on PLU-affiliated legislators to “maintain decorum, dignity and discipline” during the parliamentary leadership selection process.

With the PLU endorsement now officially withdrawn, political observers say the race for Speaker is more unpredictable than it has been in years. Among those being discussed as possible alternatives is Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, seen by some insiders as a compromise candidate acceptable to both security and political circles. Deputy Speaker Tayebwa himself has also drawn renewed public attention as a potential Speaker candidate, with some observers noting his recent closeness to PLU activities.

PLU says its final choice of candidates will be announced in due course.