A fresh political realignment appears to be taking shape within Uganda’s power circles after Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly declared support for Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to retain his position.
In a statement posted Tuesday on X, Gen. Muhoozi said all Members of Parliament affiliated to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), as well as legislators sympathetic to the movement, would back Tayebwa following guidance from President Yoweri Museveni, whom he referred to as the Commander-in-Chief.
“On the issue of Deputy Speaker, after getting guidance from the Commander-in-Chief, all PLU MPs and PLU leaning MPs will support Rt. Honourable Thomas Tayebwa for that position. Congratulations Rt. Honourable,” Muhoozi posted.
The declaration is expected to significantly strengthen Tayebwa’s grip on the influential parliamentary office at a time when political tensions and succession calculations within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) continue to intensify.
Muhoozi’s endorsement also signals the growing political weight of the PLU pressure group, which has increasingly become a mobilising force within sections of the ruling establishment and Parliament.
The announcement comes amid heightened political activity following recent shifts within Parliament’s top leadership and widening discussions over the future composition of Uganda’s legislative leadership ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Tayebwa, who has served as Deputy Speaker since 2022, has remained one of the most influential figures within the ruling party ranks and a close ally of key power brokers in government.
Political observers say Muhoozi’s statement effectively sends a strong message to ruling party MPs that the establishment has already settled on Tayebwa for the position, potentially discouraging any internal challengers from emerging.
The endorsement further cements the visible cooperation between the First Son’s PLU network and senior NRM figures as political camps continue positioning themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.
