NUP picks Paul Mwiru for Speaker of 12th Parliament
By fronting Mwiru, the opposition party is positioning the outspoken legislator as a central figure in its broader campaign to challenge the dominance of the ruling National Resistance Movement in Parliament.
Paul Mwiru has officially emerged as the opposition-backed candidate for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament after the National Unity Platform endorsed him to contest for the powerful parliamentary position.
The decision was reached during a meeting involving the party’s top leadership and members of its parliamentary caucus, where discussions focused on what NUP described as efforts to restore Parliament’s independence and functionality.
By fronting Mwiru, the opposition party is positioning the outspoken legislator as a central figure in its broader campaign to challenge the dominance of the ruling National Resistance Movement in Parliament.
NUP leaders said Mwiru’s candidature represents a push for institutional reforms and stronger parliamentary oversight.
“We have fielded the Jinja South East MP Hon. Paul Mwiru as our official candidate for speakership of the 12th Parliament,” the party announced.
Mwiru, a lawyer and experienced legislator, has previously served in Parliament under both the Forum for Democratic Change and later the National Unity Platform, earning recognition for his strong criticism of government policies and advocacy for constitutionalism and accountability.
Political analysts say his nomination signals the opposition’s intention to use the Speaker race as a platform to reignite debate about Parliament’s autonomy, transparency, and oversight role.
The opposition also indicated plans to engage other political parties to jointly agree on a Deputy Speaker candidate in a bid to consolidate opposition voices within the House.
NUP argued that Parliament must regain its constitutional independence, warning against external influence in parliamentary affairs.
The party further criticized what it described as increasing involvement of military figures in partisan politics, saying such actions undermine public confidence in the independence of state institutions.
The race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament is expected to draw national attention as political parties intensify lobbying and negotiations ahead of the official election of parliamentary leaders.
Observers say although the ruling party maintains numerical dominance in Parliament, the opposition’s decision to front Mwiru could shape national political debate and strengthen scrutiny over the future direction of Uganda’s legislature.
