An unexpected twist has emerged in the race for the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, following a quiet deal struck during a closed-door Iftar dinner hosted by Anita Among at her residence in Nakasero, sources have told this publication.
The exclusive development comes barely days after Iddi Basajjabalaba, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Bushenyi–Ishaka Municipality, publicly declared his ambition to contest for the position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament in the 2026–2031 term, a move widely interpreted as a direct challenge to incumbent Thomas Tayebwa.
However, according to highly placed sources present at the Wednesday night gathering, Iddi Basajjabalaba has since stepped down from the race in favour of retired army officer and Rukungiri Municipality MP Henry Tumukunde.
The decision was reportedly reached during the Iftar dinner, which was attended by selected Muslim leaders and a small group of senior politicians including MPs.
Sources say the turning point came after Tumukunde held a private conversation with Speaker Anita Among at her residence.
Moments later, the two were seen embracing, an interaction that insiders say sealed the political understanding.
While no formal announcement was made at the event, those briefed on the meeting say the message was clear: Tumukunde would take the lead in the Deputy Speaker race, with Iddi stepping aside to support him.
“Iddi has withdrawn his bid and agreed to rally behind General Tumukunde,” a source close to the discussions said. “This was not a spontaneous decision. It was calculated, strategic, and sanctioned at the highest political levels.”
Tumukunde, a former security chief and retired Uganda People’s Defence Force general, is said to be positioning himself as a consensus candidate capable of attracting cross-regional and cross-factional support within the ruling National Resistance Movement and beyond.
Sources close to the MP say he is expected to formally declare his ambition next week.
The development significantly alters the dynamics of the Deputy Speaker contest. Iddi Basajjabalaba’s earlier declaration had been viewed as the latest escalation in the simmering rivalry between his father, tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba, and Thomas Tayebwa following disagreements during the chaotic NRM Entrepreneurs League elections.
His withdrawal in favour of Tumukunde suggests a shift from a family-driven political confrontation to a broader coalition strategy.
For Tayebwa, the entry of Tumukunde into the race presents a more complex challenge.
Unlike a first-term MP, Tumukunde brings with him national stature, military credentials, and long-standing political networks that cut across party lines.
