Basajjja’s Son Enters Deputy Speaker Race, Set to Challenge Thomas Tayebwa
KAMPALA, Uganda — Newly elected Bushenyi–Ishaka Municipality MP Hajji Iddi Basajjja has formally declared his bid for Deputy Speaker of Parliament, setting up a high-stakes contest against the powerful incumbent Thomas Tayebwa ahead of the 11th Parliament (2026–2031).
In a statement, Basajjja thanked voters in Bushenyi–Ishaka for electing him to Parliament on January 15 and said he was offering himself for the Deputy Speaker’s position on a platform of humility, honesty and commitment to national service.
He pledged “resolute, principled leadership anchored in inclusivity, constitutionalism and the relentless pursuit of the aspirations of our people.”
Basajjja’s declaration immediately injects fresh intrigue into the contest for one of Parliament’s most influential offices, currently held by Tayebwa, a senior figure in the ruling National Resistance Movement and a close ally of the party leadership.
Tayebwa, who has served as Deputy Speaker since 2022, is widely viewed as a political heavyweight with strong backing within the NRM parliamentary caucus.
He is the son of prominent businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, one of Uganda’s best-known tycoons, and is himself no stranger to bruising internal party contests.
Within NRM circles, Basajjja is remembered for putting up stiff resistance against fellow tycoon Ceasar Mulenga during the recent NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections, a battle that underscored both his political ambition and his capacity to mobilise support against well-resourced opponents.
Political observers say that experience may embolden Basajjja as he takes on Tayebwa, whose influence extends deep into Parliament’s leadership structures and the ruling party’s power networks.
While Deputy Speaker races are traditionally settled within the NRM caucus rather than on the floor of the House, they often reflect broader internal dynamics and shifting alliances inside the party.
If successful, Basajjja would be among the youngest MPs to ascend to the top echelons of parliamentary leadership, a factor that could appeal to legislators seeking generational change.
His supporters argue that his business background and recent electoral victory give him a fresh mandate, while critics question whether he can marshal enough votes to unseat an incumbent as entrenched as Tayebwa
The NRM parliamentary caucus is expected to meet in the coming weeks to agree on its flag bearers for Speaker and Deputy Speaker ahead of the formal election in the House.
By ChimpReports
