Speaker of Parliament Anitah Annet Among has cemented her political ascendancy with a landslide victory over her predecessor, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) elections for the position of 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female).
Official results declared by the NRM Electoral Commission show that Among polled 11,680 votes, against Kadaga’s 902, out of a total of 12,582 valid ballots. The margin – over 90% of the vote share – is not only a numerical triumph but also a strong statement about shifting loyalties within Uganda’s ruling party.
A Contest of Two Generations
The race was widely seen as a battle between two women who have defined Uganda’s political stage in different eras. Kadaga, who served as Speaker for a decade (2011–2021), was once considered one of the most powerful figures in the country after President Museveni. Her fall from the Speakership in 2021 marked the beginning of a slow decline in her clout within NRM.
Among, on the other hand, rose rapidly through the ranks. From Deputy Speaker in 2021 to Speaker of Parliament after Jacob Oulanyah’s passing in 2022, she has consolidated influence both inside Parliament and in the party. Her latest victory demonstrates how quickly she has outpaced Kadaga, effectively taking over the political constituency Kadaga once commanded.
Implications for Kadaga’s Political Future
For Kadaga, the defeat is bruising. Having lost the Speakership three years ago, and now facing a resounding rejection in the party’s top organ, her relevance within NRM hangs in the balance.
Political analysts note that Kadaga’s challenge was not only about reclaiming a seat but about testing her remaining support within the party hierarchy. The fact that she secured less than 1,000 votes underscores how much ground she has lost.
“This is not just an electoral loss; it is a message from within the NRM that Kadaga’s influence has waned,” said a political commentator who followed the elections closely. “She may now be forced to reconsider her strategies – either to retire gracefully or attempt to reinvent herself outside the party mainstream.”
Among’s Growing Power and the 2026 Elections
Among’s overwhelming win places her firmly in the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the NRM’s most powerful decision-making body. With her dual role as Speaker of Parliament, she now straddles two influential spaces – the legislature and the party hierarchy – giving her unmatched leverage ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Her ability to mobilize support across the party, reflected in the sheer numbers she garnered, signals that she is not merely a parliamentary figurehead but a political force with grassroots and elite backing. This will likely make her a key strategist in NRM’s preparation for the next polls and a close ally of President Museveni in managing internal party cohesion.
The NRM’s Internal Realignments
The outcome also sheds light on broader realignments within the NRM. The party has long prided itself on stability, but generational and personal rivalries are reshaping its internal map. Among’s ascendancy marks a generational shift, where younger leaders are taking over from the old guard.
Kadaga’s loss mirrors similar fates of other once-dominant figures sidelined by emerging players. To many, this is Museveni’s way of refreshing loyalty and ensuring that those close to him and the party’s inner circle remain firmly in control.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, the contest between Among and Kadaga was more than an election for a vice chairpersonship – it was a referendum on relevance. Among has proven she is the ruling party’s preferred female powerbroker of the moment, while Kadaga has been reduced to the margins.
The political symbolism is clear: in the NRM’s evolving hierarchy, past glory offers little security. Among now joins the small circle of women with real decision-making clout in Uganda’s ruling establishment, positioning herself not only as a party strongwoman but also as a national figure whose influence will only grow in the years ahead.
