KAMPALA UGANDA . Friday, July 4th, 2025.In a move signalling a potential seismic shift within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party's women leadership, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, was formally nominated this morning for the powerful position of Vice National Female Chairperson on the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Â
 Speaker Among's candidacy directly positions her to challenge the incumbent, the formidable Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, is setting the stage for a high-stakes contest between two of Uganda's most prominent female politicians.
Â
Defying torrential rains that lashed Kampala, Speaker Among arrived at the NRM Electoral Commission offices promptly at approximately 9:30 AM today to submit her nomination papers. Undeterred by the heavy downpour, which many observers noted added a dramatic backdrop to the significant political event, Among proceeded with the nomination process, underscoring her determination to secure the influential party post.
Â
 The position of Vice National Female Chairperson on the NRM CEC is a critical one, wielding substantial influence over party policy, strategy, and resource allocation, particularly concerning women's affairs and mobilisation across the country.
Â
The nomination marks a bold step by Speaker Among to ascend further within the NRM's top hierarchy. Her bid explicitly aims to unseat Rt. Hon. Kadaga, a veteran political figure who previously served as Speaker of Parliament for a decade and has held the Vice National Female Chairperson role for an extended period. Kadaga, known for her deep roots and extensive network within the party, is widely expected to seek re-election, making the upcoming internal elections a closely watched battle between established power and rising influence.
Â
 Among's challenge represents one of the most significant contests for a senior party position in recent years, highlighting evolving dynamics within the NRM's leadership structure.
Â
The heavy rainfall coinciding with Among's arrival became an immediate talking point, with supporters and commentators alike interpreting it symbolically – some seeing it as a sign of blessings washing away the old, while others viewed it as a test of resilience for the ambitious Speaker. Regardless of the symbolism, Among's punctuality and public commitment to the process, despite the challenging weather, were noted as a display of her seriousness about the campaign.Â
Â
Her nomination sets in motion a critical phase within the NRM, where delegates will ultimately decide whether to endorse the challenge mounted by the current head of the legislature against a long-standing pillar of the party's women's wing. The outcome will significantly shape the future landscape of women's leadership within Uganda's dominant political force.
