'Iron Lady' Wanyoto enters speakership race, challenges Anita Among in historic Mbale declaration.
MBALE, Uganda — The race for the Speaker of the 12th Parliament has taken a dramatic new turn as Mbale City Woman MP-elect Lydia Wanyoto Mutende officially declared her candidacy on Friday, positioning herself as a formidable challenger to incumbent Anita Among and setting the stage for what promises to be a high-stakes parliamentary battle.
Making her announcement at the historic House 49 in Malukhu, Mbale Industrial City Division, Wanyoto deliberately chose a venue steeped in Uganda's liberation history. On this very site, President Yoweri Museveni narrowly escaped death during a firefight with Idi Amin's soldiers on January 22, 1973.
"I was advised by youth and voters in Mbale city to launch my Speakership struggle at historical house 49 to show the country that Mbale contributed to the national cake," Wanyoto told a gathering of supporters and media.
Standing before journalists and cheering supporters clad in yellow NRM regalia, the seasoned lawyer and longtime National Resistance Movement (NRM) stalwart framed her bid not as personal ambition but as a direct response to her constituents' mandate.
"I accept the call from my community, from my voters. I accept the endorsement because it is one of the roles you gave me. You voted for me to go and represent your views. One first views that you have given me is to contest for the office of the Speaker. And I accept because you voted for me," Wanyoto declared passionately
The Mbale City legislator emphasised the historical significance of her announcement venue, linking Bugisu's contribution to the liberation struggle with what she termed the region's rightful claim to national leadership.
"When we talk about accessing the national cake, it's not just because I have won the election. Bugisu or Mbale City has a stake in the national politics of our country. That's where we are drawing our history to claim the national cake," she said.
Wanyoto elaborated on the site's historical importance, stating, "You asked me to stand here at House 49 because Bugisu has a big contribution to the NRM revolution led by President Museveni. He was here on 22nd January, 1973, where he was almost killed with his colleagues, one was called Mwesigye and the other Kazi Moto. So this is historical".
With her entry, Wanyoto joins what is rapidly becoming a crowded and competitive field for the second-highest constitutional office in the country. She confirmed that she is now the fifth candidate in the race, joining incumbent Speaker Anita Among, Democratic Party president and Justice Minister Norbert Mao, State Minister for Housing Persis Namuganza, and an unnamed aspirant from West Nile.
"We are now five," Wanyoto confirmed, expanding the field beyond what many had assumed would be a controlled contest within the ruling party .
The announcement directly challenges the NRM's Central Executive Committee (CEC) resolution from January 27, 2026, which endorsed Anita Among for Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker for another five-year term. Sources indicate the State House meeting produced a unanimous vote backed by President Museveni, with CEC resolution No. 12 technically barring competition within the NRM for the Speakership
However, Wanyoto pushed back against the notion that the position should be pre-determined, arguing for open democratic processes within the party.
"Let's subject ourselves to elective positions, not being appointed. Why appoint someone to lead the democratic house?" she questioned. "Why fear being subjected to election processes? We must follow the process, not being appointed"
She specifically addressed arguments that Speakership aspirants must have served two terms in Parliament, noting that historical precedent contradicts such claims. "Most former speakers never ruled for two terms; in fact, some only served for 2 years like James Wapakhabulo, and therefore there is no need for someone to ring-fence this position at all"
Wanyoto outlined a clear, step-by-step approach to her Speakership bid, pledging to follow both political and legal processes leading up to the expected vote around mid-May 2026.
"Between today and May 16, 2026, when we will likely vote for Speaker, we're going to follow both the political and legal processes," she said.
Her roadmap begins with formal notification to Mbale City MPs, followed by engagement with the 25 legislators from the Bugisu sub-region, and ultimately reaching out to all 529 members of the 12th Parliament individually.
"From here, I will write to all MPs from Mbale City, officially informing them about what my constituents have said. From there, I will write to MPs from Bugisu Sub-region, and I will look for all the 529 MPs in the 12th one-by-one, because you have sent me," she affirmed.
Wanyoto also committed to engaging the Bugisu parliamentary caucus, the NRM party leadership, and President Museveni directly, demonstrating a willingness to work within party structures while asserting her right to contest.
The "Iron Lady," as she is popularly known, brings an impressive array of qualifications to her candidacy. A certified and practising lawyer, Wanyoto holds a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, and two master's degrees — one in Human Rights Law and another in Gender and Women's Studies, both from Makerere University.
Her political and diplomatic experience spans decades. She served in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for two consecutive terms from 2001 to 2012, despite never having previously served in Uganda's Parliament. She later served as Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (AMISOM) from 2013 to 2017, and briefly as acting head of the AU Mission in Somalia.
Within the NRM, Wanyoto is a senior figure who served as Chairperson of the National Women's League and as a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party's highest decision-making organ.
"I have amassed information on legal acumen, academia, and military conduct," Wanyoto boasted, adding that she is a "certified and practised lawyer that has fought on the legal front for women with a full understanding of their struggles".
Throughout her declaration, Wanyoto emphasised the importance of democratic processes over behind-the-scenes appointments.
"We cannot continue being agents of Speakership aspirants. I'm going for that seat at any cost," she declared, signalling her determination to see the contest through regardless of internal party dynamics
She positioned herself as a unifier capable of leading during critical times: "In these critical times of Uganda, there is a need for leaders who can unite, inspire and deliver"
"Let us elect Lydia Wanyoto Mutende not only because of what she has done but because of what she will do," she added, appealing directly to her future colleagues in Parliament.
The declaration has sparked enthusiastic reactions from Mbale residents and Bugisu community members, many of whom see Wanyoto's bid as a long-overdue recognition of the region's contribution to national politics.
James Mutimbwa, a resident, expressed strong support for Wanyoto's candidacy, citing her track record of community engagement. "Lydia Wanyoto is an iron lady who has consistently fought for the people of Mbale. Her overwhelming victory against the incumbent in the recent elections was a clear message from voters that we want one of our own to lead one of the three arms of government. Bugisu has been marginalised in sharing the national cake since the passing of James Wapakhabulo, and it's time we reclaimed our stake"
Sarah Nandudu, a market vendor and voter from Industrial City Division, highlighted Wanyoto's accessibility and determination. "Big Sister has always been there for us. She understands our struggles because she comes from here. When she speaks on those political talk shows, she represents all of us. We believe she has the qualities to become Speaker — she is a lawyer, she has international experience, and she is fearless. Bugisu needs this position, and she is capable of delivering at any cost"
Michael Wekesa, a teacher and NRM supporter in Mbale, pointed to Wanyoto's diplomatic credentials and legal expertise. "People forget that Lydia served in AMISOM and represented Uganda at the highest levels in East Africa. She has sat on the NRM Central Executive Committee and knows the party's inner workings. Some say the Speaker's position should go to someone with more parliamentary experience, but look at her resume — she has been a legislator at EALA, she understands international diplomacy, and she is a lawyer. That combination is exactly what we need in the Speaker's chair".
Mutwalibi Mafabi publicly endorsed Wanyoto in a separate video, describing her as "the only lady" from the region with the national stature to compete. "The reason why we are endorsing Lydia is that she's the only one. She served on CEC, she led the women's league — she has the credentials"
Wanyoto's entry fundamentally reshapes the Speakership contest. Political analysts note that her roots in Eastern Uganda, prior experience in regional legislative affairs, and diplomatic service give her both regional appeal and institutional credibility that could appeal to MPs seeking leadership beyond traditional NRM caucus choices.
Her declaration also tests the NRM's internal dynamics and President Museveni's influence over key parliamentary appointments. With the party's CEC having already endorsed Among, Wanyoto's decision to press forward despite the resolution signals a potential internal contest within the ruling party's parliamentary caucus.
However, the path to the Speaker's chair remains challenging. In a system where party loyalty often constrains individual ambition, Wanyoto must navigate between honouring party structures and pursuing her declared candidacy. The outcome may hinge on CEC reconsiderations, caucus discipline, and last-minute alliances as the May 2026 vote approaches.
Wanyoto framed her Speakership vision around fairness, transparency, and respect for all members regardless of party affiliation or seniority.
"This is a House for all Ugandans. I am entering the Speaker race to ensure that the next Parliament is guided by fairness, transparency, and respect for every Member of Parliament, regardless of party or seniority," she told journalists.
She emphasised that the Speakership position is "never a ring-fenced position in the NRM," pushing back against suggestions that the contest is already decided.
As the 12th Parliament prepares to convene, all eyes will now turn to how the ruling party navigates what has become an unexpectedly competitive leadership contest. With five declared candidates — Among Mao, Namuganza, Wanyoto, and the yet-unnamed West Nile aspirant — the race for the Speaker's chair is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched political battles in Uganda's parliamentary history.
Wanyoto's declaration, rooted in the historical soil of House 49 and carried forward by community enthusiasm, ensures that Bugisu's voice will be heard loud and clear as the 12th Parliament takes shape. Whether her "Iron Lady" determination can overcome party endorsements and established incumbency remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Speakership race has just become significantly more interesting.
"I'm going for that seat at any cost," Wanyoto affirmed — and for Uganda's political observers, the journey to May 2026 just gained a compelling new storyline.
