The opposition-led National Unity Platform (NUP) has endorsed Jinja South East MP Paul Mwiru as its candidate for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, setting the stage for a competitive contest ahead of the May 25 parliamentary vote.
Mwiru was unveiled at the party’s headquarters in Kampala on Monday, with NUP leaders presenting him as their choice to champion accountability, transparency and institutional reform in Parliament.
The nomination was first announced by NTV Uganda in a breaking news update on Monday afternoon.
At 48, Mwiru, a lawyer and seasoned legislator, returns to Parliament after reclaiming the Jinja South East seat in the 2026 General Election. He has previously served on parliamentary committees including the Public Accounts Committee, where he built a reputation for scrutinising government expenditure and public accountability.
During the unveiling ceremony, Mwiru pledged to defend the public interest and strengthen parliamentary oversight if elected Speaker.
“We want a Parliament that works for Ugandans and protects public resources,” he reportedly told supporters and party officials gathered at the NUP headquarters.
His nomination places NUP formally in the Speakership race at a time of significant political realignment within Parliament.
The election for Speaker and Deputy Speaker is scheduled for May 25, following the swearing-in of members of the 12th Parliament. Parliament officials say 527 legislators have already taken oath and are now preparing for leadership elections that will shape the next five years of legislative business.
The race has grown increasingly competitive and politically charged.
Outgoing Speaker Anita Among, who had initially been expected to seek another term, recently withdrew from contention amid mounting corruption investigations and political pressure within the ruling party. Her exit has left the field open to fresh contenders and intensified lobbying within Parliament.
Attention has increasingly shifted to candidates backed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which commands a numerical majority in the House.
Among the names attracting attention is Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, who has publicly expressed interest in the Speakership and framed the contest around fighting corruption in Parliament.
Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth has also emerged as a strong contender after receiving endorsements from influential figures within NRM circles. Reports indicate that senior party and government figures have rallied behind him ahead of the vote.
Parliament officially announced May 25 as the date for electing the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, with the contest expected to draw intense lobbying among newly sworn-in legislators.
Although NUP lacks the numbers to match NRM on the floor of Parliament, political analysts say Mwiru’s nomination allows the opposition to project its governance agenda and challenge the ruling party’s dominance during one of the most closely watched parliamentary transitions in recent years.
The Speakership contest comes as Uganda’s 12th Parliament begins work amid growing public demands for stronger accountability, anti-corruption measures and legislation addressing the country’s economic challenges.