The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has endorsed both former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and current Speaker Anita Among to contest for the powerful position of 2nd National Vice Chairperson (female), setting the stage for one of the most closely watched political battles ahead of the 2026 elections.
The slot, considered the most influential female post in the NRM hierarchy, has pitted two of Uganda’s most prominent women leaders against each other.
Kadaga, who has held the position since 2021 after losing the speakership to Jacob Oulanya, now faces Among, who succeeded Oulanya in 2022 following his death.
On the campaign trail in Mpigi district this week, Kadaga accused Among of being unfit for the CEC seat, pointing to the travel sanctions imposed on her by the United States and the United Kingdom over alleged corruption.
In a measured response, Among dismissed the attacks, insisting she would not trade insults with her predecessor.
Among’s rally in Busoga was notable for being accompanied by her husband, FUFA president Moses Magogo, who hails from the region.
Her camp has since called on Kadaga to either retire honorably or prepare for defeat.
Kadaga’s loss of the Speakership in 2021 to Oulanya with heavy backing from the NRM establishment marked the beginning of her rivalry with Among.
After Oulanyah’s death in 2022, Among rose to the top job in Parliament, consolidating power with the full weight of the party behind her.
Kadaga, meanwhile, maintained her political visibility as NRM’s 2nd Vice Chairperson, giving her a foothold in party leadership.
The latest CEC endorsement means that the two women will now go head-to-head for the same position within the party’s Central Executive Committee a battle that analysts say could reshape women’s leadership dynamics in the ruling party.
The election for 2nd National Vice Chairperson will be a test of the NRM’s ability to manage its internal rivalries.
