A fierce political confrontation unfolded on radio as senior figures clashed over the future leadership of Parliament.
What started as a debate about party procedure quickly turned into a war of words between Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi, Mbale Woman MP-elect Lydia Wanyoto, and outgoing Bugweri MP Abdul Katuntu.
At the center of the storm is the question of whether Speaker Anita Among should automatically secure a second term.
During the Capital Gang program, Baryomunsi made it clear he would not apologize for his public criticism of what he called an alleged decision by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) to “ring-fence” the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker for Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa. He insisted that such an important decision should follow proper party procedures.
Lydia Wanyoto, appearing on the same platform, avoided directly stating whether she personally wants to contest for either position. Instead, she stressed that every MP has a right to express interest. She argued that democracy inside the party requires open competition, not early declarations that certain people are unopposed.
Wanyoto questioned the authenticity of the reported CEC resolution, saying it had not been officially communicated by top party officials like the Secretary General or the party’s communications office. To her, social media talk alone is not enough to settle such a major political matter.
She emphasized the importance of the NRM parliamentary caucus, describing it as one of the most active organs of the party. In her view, caucus members should be allowed to discuss and decide freely, especially on positions like Speaker, which directly affect their daily work in Parliament.
Wanyoto also pointed out that elections for Special Interest Groups such as youth, older persons, PWDs and UPDF representatives were still ongoing. She said it would be premature to close the door on competition before the full composition of Parliament is confirmed.
Drawing from history, Wanyoto recalled past Speakers and how leadership transitions happened. She mentioned leaders like James Wapakabhulo, Francis Ayume and Edward Sekandi to show that tenure in the Speakership has never been automatic and has often depended on political circumstances and caucus dynamics.
Baryomunsi, for his part, spoke in an even more confrontational tone. He said he has always stood for accountability and high standards inside the NRM, even when it made him unpopular. He linked his outspokenness to his loss of a CEC position in previous party elections.
He alleged that the party delegates’ conference at Kololo was marred by irregularities, claiming that some people were unfairly allowed to influence the outcome. These claims remain his personal assertions, but he used them to argue that internal democracy must be protected.
According to Baryomunsi, rushing to endorse Among and Tayebwa without an open expression of interest sends the wrong message to party members. He warned that such actions can make ordinary supporters feel excluded and disillusioned.
He also argued that even if incumbents are widely supported, the process still matters. Allowing people to show interest, be vetted and be heard creates legitimacy, even if the final outcome remains the same.
Baryomunsi said he has nothing personal against Anita Among or Thomas Tayebwa and even acknowledged that they have performed well. His main concern, he said, is the procedure, which he believes should be transparent and inclusive.
However, Abdul Katuntu forcefully rejected these arguments. He told Baryomunsi and Wanyoto that they had no moral authority to oppose CEC now when they did not object to other similar decisions in the past, including the endorsement of President Museveni as sole candidate.
Katuntu openly declared himself to be in the pro-Among camp and argued that internal divisions within NRM are already clear. He suggested that the current protests are driven more by political interests than by principle.
In his view, the decision to support Among and Tayebwa has effectively already been made, and attempts to reverse it are unrealistic. He told his fellow panelists there was “nothing” they could do to stop Among’s second term.
Katuntu advised them to accept the political reality rather than continue public protests. His remarks highlighted the growing split between those who favor early consensus and those who demand open internal competition.
The debate also exposed deeper questions about how power is managed inside the ruling party. Is unity better served by early agreement on key positions, or by allowing competitive processes that may create temporary tension?
Supporters of the ring-fencing idea argue that it promotes stability and avoids unnecessary internal fights.
Critics like Baryomunsi and Wanyoto say it risks weakening internal democracy and discouraging active participation.
The emotional tone of the discussion showed how high the stakes are. The Speakership is not just a parliamentary role; it carries major political influence, visibility and control over legislative business.
In the end, the Capital Gang debate revealed more than just personal disagreements. It showed a party wrestling with questions of succession, procedure, loyalty and power, as different leaders position themselves in an evolving political landscape.
