By Johnson Kanyesige
Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of Parliament, has won the NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) position with a landslide victory. She polled 11,680 votes, representing 92.8 percent, while her opponent and former Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga managed 902 votes (7.2 percent).
The results were announced by NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, during the week-long National Delegates Conference at Kololo. The conference elected members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s top decision-making organs.
Before voting, both candidates were allowed to briefly address the delegates.
Among thanked the party for entrusting her with the role, calling for unity and trust within NRM. She praised President Yoweri Museveni for his leadership and pledged to support the party’s goals. Among highlighted her experience as Speaker of Parliament and promised to listen to Ugandans, promote inclusion—especially for persons with disabilities—and strengthen local leadership structures.
Kadaga, on the other hand, raised concerns about the credibility of the election. She accused Among’s team of bribing delegates with cash, iPads, and mobile phones, alleging that some delegates were each given Shs 300,000 in places such as Nakawa, Nabisunsa, and Kisaasi. She also cited delays in the voting process and fake delegate lists, which she said were signs of rigging.
Kadaga appealed to President Museveni, who chaired the session throughout the day and night, to ensure a free and fair process. She reminded delegates of her long service to the party and urged them to vote based on merit rather than inducements.
Despite the concerns, Among—who crossed from the FDC to join NRM—won by a wide margin. Earlier, Museveni had attempted to persuade one of the contenders to step down to avoid internal divisions, but both insisted on contesting, leaving the matter to the delegates to decide.
