By Ssenkayi Marvin Ezra
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is set for one of its most closely watched internal elections in recent years as two of Uganda’s most prominent political figures—former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and current Speaker Annet Anita Among—compete for the position of National Vice Chairperson (Female) on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
The race brings together two women whose political careers have intersected at the highest levels of legislative leadership. It also underscores the strategic significance of the CEC seat, which plays a role in shaping the party’s direction and ensuring women’s representation in decision-making.
The NRM’s Central Executive Committee is the party’s highest policymaking body between national conferences. Members help set the agenda, guide political strategy, and coordinate activities across the country.
The National Vice Chairperson (Female) position carries a dual mandate: representing women’s perspectives in the party’s top organ and advancing gender-inclusive policies within the NRM’s structures. Whoever wins will hold influence over not only party affairs but also the broader conversation about women’s political participation in Uganda.
Rebecca Kadaga has served as National Vice Chairperson (Female) since 2015 and is widely recognised for her decade-long tenure as Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2021. She is a veteran of Uganda’s political scene, with extensive experience in parliamentary procedure, legislative diplomacy, and grassroots mobilisation. Her re-election bid is built on continuity and institutional knowledge within the CEC.
Anita Among, who became Speaker of Parliament in 2022, has quickly risen through the political ranks. Known for her assertive leadership style in Parliament, she has positioned her candidacy as part of a generational renewal in the party’s leadership. Her supporters view her as a fresh voice capable of bridging younger constituencies with the NRM’s core base.
Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga is the National Vice Chairperson (Female) of the NRM, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister for East African Community Affairs. She served as Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the position. With over three decades in public service, she has been the MP for Kamuli District since 1989.
Kadaga has championed women’s representation, legislative reforms, and regional cooperation. She is a longstanding member of the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and has chaired multiple party committees.
Annet Anita Among has been the Speaker of Parliament since March 2022. She previously served as Deputy Speaker from 2021 to 2022 and was elected Woman MP for Bukedea District in 2016. Among has risen rapidly through party ranks, focusing on legislative oversight and parliamentary management. She has promoted parliamentary efficiency reforms and strong constituency engagement. Among is active in the NRM leadership structure and is regarded as part of the party’s emerging generation of leaders.
While the contest pits two of the country’s most senior politicians against each other, both remain firmly within the NRM fold. Party insiders note that leadership races of this calibre often carry implications beyond the ballot, shaping alliances and influencing future leadership configurations.
The NRM Electoral Commission oversees the campaigns, vets candidates, and organises the voting process in accordance with the party’s constitution. The CEC elections are set to be conducted during the upcoming delegates’ conference which will be held at Kololo ceremonial grounds starting on August 20.
The outcome of the vote will not only determine the next occupant of the National Vice Chairperson (Female) office but could also signal shifts in the balance of influence within the CEC. As the NRM approaches other key electoral milestones, the result may set the tone for the party’s strategy heading into the future.
For now, the race remains an internal matter, but its impacts will likely be felt well beyond party lines.