The newly elected Ishaka Municipality Member of Parliament, Iddi Bassajja, a son to Hassan Basajja Balaba, has declared his intention to challenge Ruhinda North County MP Thomas Tayebwa for the position of Deputy Speaker ahead of the 12th Parliament.
“I declare my candidature for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda for the 2026–2031 term,” Bassajja said.
“I commit and pledge resolute, principled leadership anchored in inclusivity, constitutionalism, and the relentless pursuit of the aspirations of our people.”
Bassajja was declared Member of Parliament for Ishaka Municipality after polling 13,765 votes out of a total 18,776 votes cast. His closest rival, Marvin Baryaruha, an advocate and commissioner of oaths, garnered 4,519 votes (24.06%). Ndyakira Nicholas Muhereza secured 458 votes, while Kamukama David obtained 34 votes.
Tayebwa has been a Member of Parliament since 2016 and has served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament since 2022. He also previously served as Government Chief Whip, having been appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In the recently concluded elections, Tayebwa was elected unopposed after Osbert Kato, who had sought to challenge him for the Ruhinda North parliamentary seat on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, withdrew his candidature and defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Tayebwa is among the 17 NRM MPs elected unopposed. Others include Anita Annet Among, Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea Woman MP; Lillian Paparu Obiale, Arua Woman MP; and Ruth Rujoki Mushabe, Kiruhura Woman MP.
Additional unopposed MPs include Phiona Nyamutoro, Woman MP for Nebbi District; Ofwono Opondo, MP for Older Persons (Eastern Uganda); Jeniva Arinaitwe, MP for Rubirizi District; Emily Kugonza, MP for Buyanja East; Akumu Catherine Mavenjina, MP for Older Persons (Northern Uganda); and Emmanuel Banya, MP for Koboko County.
Others are Peggy Joy Waako, National Female MP for Older Persons; Okot Boniface Henry, MP for Kole South Constituency; and Laura Kanushu Opori, National Female MP for Persons with Disabilities.
