KAMPALA, UGANDA — Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has overwhelmingly defeated her predecessor, Rebecca Kadaga, in the race for the position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC), cementing her place among the party’s most influential leaders.
According to official results announced by Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, at 11:14 p.m. on Tuesday night at Kololo Independence Grounds, Among garnered 11,680 votes against Kadaga’s 902, out of a total of 12,582 delegates. Observers described the outcome as one of the most humiliating defeats for the veteran politician, who has been a mainstay in NRM politics for over three decades.
The contest, which had been billed as a battle of influence and legacy, exposed the shifting power balance within the ruling party.
Despite Kadaga’s long service as Speaker and her appeals to seniority, loyalty, and regional representation, delegates decisively sided with Among, who has rapidly consolidated authority since assuming the Speakership in 2021.
During her campaign, Among emphasized her ability to mobilize support across the country and her role in recruiting new members to the party, including several legislators from opposition benches. She presented herself as a fresh force capable of re-energizing NRM structures and driving the party into the 2026 general elections.
Kadaga, by contrast, anchored her message on her political legacy and warned that sidelining her could alienate Busoga sub-region, a key NRM voting bloc.
However, her appeal appeared to resonate little with the delegates, who opted instead for continuity under Among’s stewardship.
President Yoweri Museveni, who chaired the conference, had earlier attempted to persuade one of the contenders to step aside in order to avoid internal divisions. Both candidates insisted on contesting, leading to the landslide verdict that underscored the delegates’ choice.
The result secures Among a powerful seat on CEC in addition to her position as Speaker of Parliament, making her one of the most influential figures within the ruling establishment.
For Kadaga, however, the defeat signals a sharp decline in her political fortunes and raises questions about her future role in the party and national politics.
Party insiders say the outcome reflects a growing appetite for new leadership and generational change within the NRM, as the party prepares to face stiff competition in the 2026 general elections.
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