Bukoto East MP, NRM’s Hon. Babirye Kityo Sarah, has bowed out of the Deputy Speakership race of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, citing consultations with senior cadres and a resolve to preserve institutional memory. Her withdrawal comes amid growing momentum for former Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who was endorsed by the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and further backed by Babirye herself. While welcoming Hon. Oboth’s viability for the speakership, she emphasized that competence and institutional knowledge must outweigh gender considerations as the contest heads toward the May 25 election.

NRM’s Hon. Babirye Kityo Sarah, the member of Parliament for Bukoto East and contestant for the deputy speaker position in the 12th Parliament, has officially withdrawn from the race. She explained that after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including senior cadres, she was advised to step down in order to safeguard and preserve the institution’s memory.

This also comes at a time when the endorsement of former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, was publicly backed yesterday by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The Bukoto East legislator, who cited several reasons for her withdrawal from the Deputy Speakership race, however, emphasized that she had chosen to rally behind Hon. Thomas Tayebwa.

She also welcomed the endorsement of Hon. Oboth Oboth, noting that he was a viable candidate for the position of speaker. However, she stressed the importance of having a leader deeply familiar with the institution’s workings. At the same time, she dismissed suggestions that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions must necessarily be split along gender lines, emphasizing that competence and institutional knowledge should take precedence.

At least five candidates are currently vying for the Deputy Speakership race of Uganda's 12th Parliament ahead of the May 25, 2026 election, following the PLU's endorsement of Jacob Oboth-Oboth for the Speakership position. The main contestants actively competing for the seat include the current Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (endorsed by the Patriotic League of Uganda), Agago County MP Edward Makmot Otto, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi, prominent NRM member Lydia Wanyoto, and Ndorwa West MP David Bahati.