When Uganda’s 11th Parliament settled under new leadership following the death of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, the institution faced a rare moment of vulnerability.
The House was not only grieving but also navigating heightened political tension, deep partisan divisions, and growing public scepticism about Parliament’s effectiveness.
Against that backdrop, the elevation of Anita Annet Among as Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa as her Deputy marked both a continuation and a departure continuity in institutional direction, but a noticeable shift in tone, energy, and internal management.
Nearly a full term later, the defining feature of the 11th Parliament has been cohesion. While disagreement remains inherent to parliamentary democracy, the House has operated with fewer open confrontations, fewer procedural breakdowns, and a steadier flow of business than in previous terms.
Members from across the political spectrum have acknowledged a calmer chamber, where disputes are managed rather than escalated, and where debate more often concludes with resolution rather than stalemate.
This cohesion has translated into measurable legislative output. The 11th Parliament has passed a higher number of bills than the 10th Parliament within comparable timeframes, an indicator of a House that is functioning with focus and predictability.
Committees have been more active, oversight work more visible, and government business less prone to prolonged delays. While critics argue that speed can sometimes come at the expense of depth, the consistency with which Parliament has processed legislation reflects a leadership determined to keep the institution working.
Speaker Among’s approach has been central to this dynamic. From early in her tenure, she positioned herself as a consensus manager rather than a combative referee.
Her rulings have generally favoured keeping members engaged on the floor rather than resorting quickly to suspensions or adjournments.
In previous public remarks, Among has argued that leadership of Parliament requires emotional intelligence as much as procedural knowledge, insisting that the Speaker must understand both the politics and the personalities that shape debate.
That philosophy appears to have informed her handling of a House that is politically diverse and often highly charged.
Equally significant has been the relationship between the Speaker and her Deputy. The partnership between Among and Tayebwa has been notably frictionless, a contrast to earlier parliaments where rivalry or mistrust at the top often spilled into the wider House.
Tayebwa has presided effectively in Among’s absence, ensuring continuity of proceedings and avoiding the interruptions that once plagued parliamentary business. The consistency has reinforced institutional discipline and reduced uncertainty about leadership direction.
Beyond the chamber, Among has sought to extend Parliament’s visibility through nationwide engagements. Her tours across the country to assess infrastructure challenges, particularly poor road networks, have drawn attention to Parliament’s oversight role beyond Kampala.
President Yoweri Museveni has publicly commended this approach, contrasting it with earlier leadership styles that were more office-bound.
While such visibility inevitably raises questions about the boundary between oversight and politics, it has nonetheless reinforced Parliament’s relevance in public discourse.
Politically, the leadership’s ability to keep the House broadly aligned has also eased relations with the Executive. While Parliament has not abandoned its oversight role, the reduction in open hostility has allowed for smoother passage of budgets and policy frameworks.
For a government focused on implementation and delivery, this predictability has been welcome, even as opposition voices continue to push back on specific legislation.
The recent endorsement of Among and Tayebwa by the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee has added another layer to the conversation about continuity.
For many legislators, stability at the top of Parliament has translated into a more orderly House and clearer procedural expectations.
In a political environment where institutional disruption often carries high costs, the status quo has become, for some, an attractive option.
A critical appraisal of the first tenure of Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa must acknowledge that Parliament remains shaped by broader political forces beyond the Speaker’s chair.
Yet judged on cohesion, legislative productivity, and internal stability, the 11th Parliament has marked a departure from the turbulence of recent history.
Whether that record warrants another term will ultimately be decided by the House itself, but the case rests less on rhetoric and more on the quieter, steadier functioning of Parliament under their watch.