Kampala, Uganda
National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially unveiled Jinja South East Member of Parliament Paul Mwiru as its candidate for Speaker of the 12th Parliament ahead of the parliamentary leadership elections scheduled for May 25, 2026.
The announcement was made by the party signaling its intention to challenge National Resistance Movement (NRM) for control of Parliament’s top leadership position.
Paul Mwiru is the elected Member of Parliament for Jinja South East Constituency and has served in Parliament as an opposition legislator known for his outspoken positions on governance, constitutionalism, and accountability.
Mwiru first entered Parliament under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) before later joining the National Unity Platform led by opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Over the years, he has been involved in several major political and legal battles, including election petitions and parliamentary debates on governance reforms and civil liberties.
Although NUP had not immediately released a detailed official statement outlining the reasons behind his selection, political analysts say the party’s decision reflects its strategy to strengthen opposition visibility within Parliament and project itself as an alternative political force.
The Speaker of Parliament is one of Uganda’s most powerful constitutional offices, responsible for presiding over parliamentary proceedings, supervising legislative business and maintaining order in the House.
By fielding a candidate for the position, NUP is seeking to increase its influence within parliamentary leadership despite NRM maintaining a numerical majority in the House.
The Speakership race has become increasingly competitive following the withdrawal of outgoing Speaker Anita Among from the contest.
Among recently announced she would not seek re-election as Speaker of the 12th Parliament, citing consultations within NRM party and the need to preserve unity.
Her withdrawal followed mounting political pressure and ongoing investigations into alleged corruption, illicit enrichment, and possible breaches of Uganda’s Leadership Code Act.
The development opened the field for new candidates from both the ruling party and opposition groups.
NUP, which emerged as Uganda’s largest opposition party after the 2021 general elections, has consistently used Parliament as a platform to challenge government policies, advocate for political reforms, and push for greater accountability.
Although opposition candidates historically face significant challenges in securing top parliamentary leadership positions due to NRM’s majority dominance.
Parliament is expected to elect its Speaker and Deputy Speaker on May 25, 2026, after lawmakers are officially sworn in.
Attention is now focused on NRM’s official endorsements for the top parliamentary offices, which traditionally carry substantial influence over the final outcome of leadership elections.
Meanwhile, NUP’s endorsement of Paul Mwiru sets the stage for a high-profile political contest that will test opposition strength and parliamentary alliances in Uganda’s next legislative term.
