Tayari News
Lydia Wanyoto, the Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament-elect, has declared her intention to run for the speakership of the 12th Parliament.
Wanyoto, a lawyer by profession, announced on Friday during a press conference held at Malukhu Ward in Mbale City, near the late Maumbe’s building — the site where President Museveni survived an assassination attempt by Amin’s soldiers in the early 1980s during the Goliera War.
According to Wanyoto, it has been 30 years since someone from the Bugisu region contested for the speakership position, following the late James Wapakhabulo, the first Speaker of Parliament.
Speaking at the press conference, Wanyoto emphasised that among the five candidates vying for the position, she is the most qualified. She highlighted her extensive experience serving the country, including Membership in the NRM Central Executive Committee, MP at East Africa Legislative Assembly, service in AMISOM under the president’s deployment, presidential advisor, and holding a Doctorate in Law.
She claimed that her decision to contest for the position of the Speaker was informed by her constituents, who sent her to represent their views.
“I accept the call from my voters, I accept the endorsement because it is one of the roles that you gave me. You voted for me to go and represent your views. One view that you have given me is to go and contest for the office of the speaker, and I accept because you voted for me.” Said Wanyoto, adding that she wanted the Bugisu area to access the national cake.
“When we talk about accessing the national cake, it is not because I have just won an election. Bugisu or Mbale city has a stake in the national politics of our country. So, I accept with passion, with commitment, with zeal, and we will go all the way.”
She vowed to follow both the political and legal processes during the time leading to the election of the Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
Wanyoto also noted that she has been awaiting her official gazettement as the Woman Member of Parliament-elect for Mbale City, which will allow her to formally pursue the speakership. She urged party leaders, including President Museveni, to support her bid.
She explains that according to NRM procedures, after elections, interested candidates for the speakership position apply, and the party then calls a delegates’ conference at Kyakwazi before coming up with a stand, saying that therefore NRM has not officially backed Annita and Tayebwa as alleged in the media.
Backing her candidacy, Josephine Awuma Wambende, a female councillor representing Industrial East Ward in Mbale City, said President Museveni should support Wanyoto, citing her impressive credentials and capabilities. Wambende credited Wanyoto with boosting NRM’s performance in Mbale City to 70% during the 2026 general elections, a record high for the city.
Bashilu Manana, the Publicity Secretary for Northern Division, called on all MPs from Bugisu to support Wanyoto to ensure the region secures the speakership.
Similarly, Kawanga Dawuda, Secretary for NRM Northern Division, highlighted Bugisu’s strong support for NRM in the recent elections and urged the president to recognise this by backing Wanyoto.
However, the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, said on Thursday, 19th February, that the Speaker and her deputy have displayed glory and success, the reason the party’s top organ, CEC, endorsed them for another term.
“I want to clear this without fear of contradiction that the CEC in its last meeting resolved that Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among and Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa should continue with the roles of speaker and deputy speaker of parliament. This is already in the resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the party. We don’t want unnecessary competition, tension and friction. Where there is a winning team, we augment their efforts. It is not about competition for positions; it is about competition for service. In the records of the Honourable Speaker of Parliament, we have seen glory and success,” said Todwong
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