The National Unity Platform (NUP) party has unveiled Paul Mwiru, the current Member of Parliament for Jinja South East constituency, as its candidate for the speakership position in the 12th Parliament.

According to Joel Ssenyonyi, the outgoing Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), the party has decided to field its candidate because, as the leading opposition party, it must provide an alternative, as it has done by presenting alternative national budgets.

“We have been complaining about how bad those fronted by other parties are. Today, we have decided to front our own, the holy one, to represent the opposition in the forthcoming speakership race. I implore all opposition members of Parliament to rally behind our candidate,” Ssenyonyi said.

While addressing the journalists on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Lewis Rubongoya, the party Secretary General, revealed that the party is in consultation with its sister opposition parties to decide on who should be fronted for the position of deputy speaker.

“We are consulting the other opposition parties to get a suitable candidate for the position of deputy speaker. However, we are also ready to fill the same position if parties fail to come to a consensus,” Rubongoya said.

Lina Zedriga, the interim NUP party president, commented on Mwiru’s acceptance of the party’s position, urging opposition members in parliament to rally behind him and ensure unity, accountability, equality, and the rule of law.

While addressing the party parliamentary caucus, Mwiru said speakership requires experienced, exemplary, and patriotic Ugandans with a spirit to develop their nation.

“Uganda deserves parliamentary leadership that will listen and respond to the expressions of the masses. As we all know, everything in governance rises and falls with leadership. I therefore call upon all members of the 12th Parliament to rally behind my candidature so that we can have a speaker whose aspirations are equality, accountability, and rule of law for a better Uganda,” he noted.

Mwiru entered the speakership race to contest with over five candidates who have so far declared their candidatures. These include Norbert Mao, the Justice Minister and Democratic Party (DP) leader; Persis Namuganza, the Bukono County MP-elect; Yorke Alioni, the Aringa South County MP-elect; and Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, the Mbale City Woman MP-elect.

While these six individuals have driven the headlines, the final number of contestants on the May 25th, 2026, ballot may adjust slightly depending on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party caucus endorsements and any last-minute strategic withdrawals.