The newly elected Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament, Lydia Wanyoto, has declared her intention to contest for the position of Speaker of the 12th Parliament, setting up a potential showdown with incumbent Speaker Anita Among.
Wanyoto made the announcement on Friday during a press conference held at House 49 in Malukhu, Mbale Industrial City Division, saying her decision was driven by the mandate she received from her voters.
“I accept the call from my community and from my voters. I accept the endorsement because it is one of the roles you gave me. You voted for me to represent your views, and one of the first views you have given me is to go and contest for the position of Speaker. I accept because you voted for me,” Wanyoto said.
She noted that her bid would follow both political and legal processes, beginning with consultations among legislators.
“The first process is political. I am going to write to all Members of Parliament from Mbale City and inform them of what the people of Mbale have sent me to do. The 12th Parliament has 529 MPs, and I intend to engage all of them, starting with those from Mbale City,” she added.
Wanyoto is a senior member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and sits on key party decision-making organs. She won the Mbale City Woman MP seat on the NRM ticket.
Her declaration, however, comes at a time when the NRM has already endorsed Speaker Anita Among and her deputy to retain their positions, a move that could put Wanyoto on a collision course with her party leadership given her senior standing within the NRM.
Other legislators who have expressed interest in the Speakership include State Minister for Housing Persis Namuganza and Justice Minister Norbert Mao.
Wanyoto, who previously served as Chairperson of the NRM Women’s League before losing the position to Adrine Kobusingye last year, said the Bugisu sub-region deserves representation at the highest levels of national leadership.
“When we talk about accessing the national cake, it is not just because I have won the election. Bugisu, and Mbale City in particular, must have a stake in the national politics of this country. I accept this challenge with passion, commitment, and zeal, and we will go all the way,” she said.
With the NRM commanding an overwhelming numerical majority in Parliament, the ruling party is expected to determine the next Speaker, as opposition numbers are insufficient to overturn an NRM-backed candidate.
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