The battle for one of the most powerful positions in Uganda’s ruling party has taken an interesting turn as Speaker of Parliament Anita Among declared her complete loyalty to President Yoweri Museveni while campaigning to become the National Resistance Movement’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female). The declaration came during a meeting with over 160 party delegates from Kabarole and Rukiga districts, where Among positioned herself as the President’s most dependable ally in the race against her rival, Rebecca Kadaga.

“I thank President Museveni for giving us a conducive environment to work in,” Among told the gathering. “You will never hear that I have passed a vote of no confidence in the President never! That is not my way of working, nor that of the members of Parliament I lead.” The statement, delivered with conviction, was met with cheers from the delegates, who later pledged their full support for her candidacy.

The August election at the NRM delegates’ conference in Namboole is shaping up to be a fierce contest between two of the most influential women in Ugandan politics. On one side is Among, the current Speaker who rose to prominence with Museveni’s backing after defecting from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). On the other is Kadaga, a seasoned politician and former Speaker who now serves as First Deputy Prime Minister and has held the vice chair position for years.

Among used the campaign stop not just to ask for votes but to reinforce her image as a steadfast Museveni loyalist. She praised the President for maintaining peace and ensuring unity among government institutions. “The peace we enjoy in this country, and the unity we have created between Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary, are a result of the President’s guidance,” she said.

Her message went beyond loyalty, however. She also framed her campaign around development and national cohesion, arguing that holding the party position would allow her to better coordinate between Parliament and the NRM leadership. She urged delegates to support Museveni as the sole NRM candidate in future elections a clear nod to the party’s ongoing debates about succession.

The delegates in Rukiga and Kabarole appeared receptive, with local NRM leaders promising to rally support for her ahead of the conference. But the road to victory won’t be easy. Kadaga, a political heavyweight in her own right, commands a strong following, particularly in Busoga and central Uganda. Though she has not yet publicly responded to Among’s latest moves, insiders say she is quietly consolidating her support base ahead of the August showdown.

Political analysts see the race as more than just a battle for a party position it’s a test of influence between two of the most powerful women in Ugandan politics, both of whom have wielded the Speaker’s gavel. For Among, winning would solidify her position as a key player in the NRM’s future, while for Kadaga, retaining the seat would reaffirm her relevance in a party that has seen shifting alliances over the years.

The contest also highlights the enduring importance of loyalty in the NRM. Among’s direct pledge—”I will never betray the President” positions her as the more reliable option in a party where allegiance to Museveni often determines political survival. Whether this strategy will be enough to overcome Kadaga’s deep-rooted support remains to be seen.

As the NRM prepares for its delegates’ conference, all eyes are on whether Museveni will openly take sides in the race. His influence could tip the scales, but for now, the two women are locked in a battle that could reshape the ruling party’s internal dynamics. One thing is certain: the outcome will send ripples through Uganda’s political landscape for years to come.