Big Story: Wanyoto Formally Launches Campaign for Speaker of the 12th Parliament

By Gad Masereka

The contest for the Speakership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament took a decisive turn on Thursday after Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament Lydia Wanyoto Mutende formally entered the race, positioning herself as a candidate seeking to redefine the tone and direction of legislative leadership at a time of heightened political expectation.

Speaking at her residence in Malukhu within Mbale Industrial City Division, Wanyoto framed her bid as a call for institutional renewal rather than personal ambition. “Parliament must remain a House for all Ugandans,” she told journalists, her remarks measured but firm. “The Speaker’s office should protect debate, uphold accountability and ensure that every Member is treated with fairness and dignity, regardless of political affiliation.”

Her declaration immediately expands what had been perceived as a contest largely shaped by the internal calculations of the ruling National Resistance Movement.

With the party commanding a dominant majority in the House, attention has largely centered on caucus alignments and endorsements. Wanyoto’s entry introduces an additional layer of complexity, particularly within a Parliament where generational change and regional balancing are emerging as quiet undercurrents.

She joins a field that includes incumbent Speaker Anita Among, Democratic Party President Norbert Mao and State Minister for Lands Persis Namuganza. Each contender carries a distinct political base and narrative, reflecting the broader interplay between continuity, reform and party loyalty that often defines high level parliamentary contests.

For Wanyoto, the campaign rests heavily on her institutional résumé. Before her election to represent Mbale City, she served in the East African Legislative Assembly and later held senior roles within the African Union, including as Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Commission and acting head of mission in Somalia. Supporters argue that this blend of regional and continental exposure positions her as a bridge between domestic legislative needs and Uganda’s broader diplomatic posture.

Political analysts note that her roots in Eastern Uganda, particularly the Elgon sub region, may also influence internal calculations. In a Parliament where regional considerations frequently shape leadership negotiations, her candidacy could galvanize support from MPs seeking greater representation in top legislative offices. “This is not merely about personalities,” one observer said privately. “It is about how Members see the independence and authority of the next Parliament.”

Behind the scenes, quiet consultations are already under way. First term legislators and influential committee leaders are said to be key targets in early outreach efforts, while seasoned MPs are weighing how the evolving field aligns with caucus discipline and party expectations. As is often the case, the final outcome may depend less on public declarations and more on closed door consensus building within the majority ranks.

Yet beyond the arithmetic of votes, Wanyoto has sought to anchor her message in institutional integrity. She described the Speakership as a constitutional trust rather than a political trophy, insisting that the 12th Parliament must be guided by transparency and respect for procedure. In doing so, she appears to be appealing not only to party loyalists but also to Members across the aisle who view the strength of Parliament as central to Uganda’s democratic trajectory.

With nominations still unfolding, the race is shaping up as one of the most closely watched leadership contests in recent parliamentary history.

What once seemed a predictable succession now carries the weight of competing visions about authority, independence and representation within the legislature. As lobbying intensifies in corridors both public and private, the coming weeks will test not only individual ambitions but also the cohesion and strategic instincts of the ruling majority.