Also known as: then prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Hon. Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Kuugongelwa – Amadhila · Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Dr. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Honourable Dr. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · Hon. Dr. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila · then finance minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
National Assembly Speaker presiding over parliamentary proceedings and overseeing parliamentary budget oversight development, facing opposition division over removal calls.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
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The Namibian
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila adjourned the House after confirming voting could not proceed
“National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday adjourned the House after confirming that voting could not proceed without the required number of members.”
Opposition walkout derails petroleum bill passing, falls short of quorumThe Namibian
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila advised that the prime minister address the issues through a ministerial statement
“National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, however, advised that the prime minister address the issues through a ministerial statement.”
Venaani calls for emergency FMD relief for farmersThe Namibian
Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila rejected a call to apologise to Amupanda and Haikola-Sakaria
“An attempt to secure an apology to Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda and National Assembly member Ester Haikola-Sakaria, who were removed from the chamber last week during a protest, has been rejected by speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.”
Speaker rejects call to apologise to Amupanda, Haikola-SakariaThe Namibian
Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila allowed the paper to be tabled but deferred her ruling
“Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila allowed the paper to be tabled but deferred her ruling.”
Amupanda calls for rules on presidential impeachmentNamibian Sun
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was allegedly scammed of N$159 010
“Fraud charges against three men accused of scamming National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila out of N$159 010 have been provisionally dropped.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila N$159 000 scam case scrappedInformanté
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was defrauded out of N$159 000.00
“A CASE of fraud in which the former Prime Minister and current Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, was defrauded out of N$159 000.00 has been withdrawn.”
Case of fraud opened by Kuugongelwa-Amadhila withdrawnThe Namibian
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila declared a conflict of interest and recused herself from questions regarding a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off
“National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday declared a conflict of interest and recused herself from questions regarding a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off.”
Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recuses herself from N$579m DBN debt queryInformanté
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila ordered two members to leave the chamber
“Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila ordered Haikola and Amupanda to leave the chamber, accusing them of banging on the desks and disrupting proceedings.”
Parliament clash follows ‘sister-in-law’ remarkThe Namibian
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has previously defended parliament saying delays are caused by opposition disruptions opposition disruptions and abuse of privileges
“National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has previously defended parliament, saying delays are caused by constant disruptions from opposition members and abuse of privileges and standing rules and orders.”
LPM accuses Swapo of sidelining parliamentary scrutinyInformanté
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called for stronger parliamentary oversight of public finances
“The Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, has called for stronger parliamentary oversight of public finances as African countries grapple with mounting fiscal pressures, debt vulnerabilities, illicit financial flows and growing demands for public services.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila calls for greater scrutiny of public debt and spendingOpposition parties disagree on whether to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila following September calls from an IPC lawmaker for a no-confidence vote. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani warned against using impeachment for political disputes, citing parliamentary tensions and the need for better discipline and respect for procedures.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties disagree on whether to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila following September calls from an IPC lawmaker for a no-confidence vote. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani warned against using impeachment for political disputes, citing parliamentary tensions and the need for better discipline and respect for procedures.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Windhoek Observer argues that Swapo's internal leadership contest ahead of the 2027 Congress deserves national attention because the party's decisions shape government policy and national direction, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah positioned to run unopposed while several candidates emerge for other top positions.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The race for Swapo's top four leadership positions is gaining momentum with behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and competing candidacies, including MP Austin Samupwa campaigning for deputy secretary general, while party leadership is allegedly considering former Kavango regional governor Sebastian Karupu for the position.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Opposition parties walked out during voting on the petroleum bill in the National Assembly, leaving only 39 of 49 required members and preventing a vote to proceed. The walkout was a protest against provisions in the bill that would place the upstream petroleum sector under the Office of the President and establish an upstream petroleum unit.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM president McHenry Venaani called on the government in Parliament to introduce an emergency relief package for farmers facing financial difficulties from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, citing movement restrictions and livestock market disruptions, and warned of wider consequences for the meat industry including Beefcor's consideration of about 393 worker retrenchments.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila rejected a call by Swanu president Evilastus Kaaronda to apologise to Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda and National Assembly member Ester Haikola-Sakaria, who were removed from the chamber during a protest last week. The speaker ruled that dissatisfaction with her ruling did not justify defying directives and warned that such conduct was dangerous in a country governed by the rule of law.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has tabled a paper examining presidential impeachment and National Assembly dissolution under the Namibian Constitution, arguing that the reciprocal powers of both the president and Assembly create a constitutional paradox and that the 36-year-old Constitution lacks an enabling procedure for impeachment. Amupanda called for the National Assembly to debate the paper and enact a clear procedural framework for impeachment.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Fraud charges against three men accused of scamming National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila out of N$159 010 have been provisionally dropped.
7 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
A fraud case in which former Prime Minister and current Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was defrauded of N$159,000 has been withdrawn by the State. Three suspects—Phillipus Iipinge, Lott Sakaria and Simon Simon—who were arrested and charged with fraud and alternatively theft, have had their bail refunded and been released after the investigating officer indicated a missing document from MTC.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
Political analysts have warned that growing confrontations in the National Assembly could shift parliamentary politics away from substantive policy debates towards political spectacle, weakening public confidence. The warning follows a heated exchange when AR members were ordered out after disrupting proceedings, and a minister made remarks about an IPC member during discussion of the Land Reform Advisory Commission nominations.
1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recused herself from presiding over questions about a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off, citing a conflict of interest because her husband is mentioned in the inquiry. AR leader Job Amupanda had sought to question the finance minister about the write-off and alleged preferential treatment of companies linked to businessman Onesmus Amadhila.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A heated exchange erupted in the National Assembly after Minister Emma Theofilus referred to an Independent Patriots for Change member as a "SWAPO Party sister-in-law." Opposition members banged on desks in protest, leading Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to order two members to leave the chamber.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Landless People's Movement alleges that Swapo, using its parliamentary majority and cooperation with the speaker, frustrates opposition scrutiny and shields the executive from accountability. LPM chief whip Dawid Eigub says ministers avoid difficult questions, Swapo members pose predictable questions followed by lengthy responses, and political pressure is placed on majority MPs, risking delays to matters including rent control, land delivery, and petroleum legislation.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called for parliaments to exercise stronger oversight of public finances, emphasizing that mounting debt vulnerabilities and fiscal pressures require active scrutiny of borrowing decisions and budget allocations to protect citizens' interests.
22 September 2026 · Informanté →
Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia's Parliamentary Budget Office is still in its infancy and parliament is relying on support from sister legislatures and the African Network to establish it. The office is intended to give parliament independent technical capacity to scrutinise government spending, borrowing decisions, fiscal forecasts and budget allocations.
22 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues that governance structures fail when shareholders, ministers, and boards simultaneously make operational and strategic decisions, creating confusion about accountability and responsibility. The author cites his resignation from a board where shareholders overstepped their role, illustrating how "blurred mandates" undermine effective governance.
22 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called on women parliamentarians to leverage their legislative and oversight powers to translate regional and international gender commitments into national laws and policies. She noted that women make up 42.3% of the National Assembly but only 16.6% of the National Council as of January, describing this disparity as a signal that gender-equal representation remains an unfinished journey.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A Windhoek fundraising gala for Cuba raised about N$2.6 million for medical supplies and solar equipment, while Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced a separate N$17 million contribution from an unnamed donor. The prime minister's office later declined to clarify details of the N$17 million pledge, stating it was focusing only on the money raised during the gala.
18 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia raised N$2.6 million in support of Cuba at a solidarity gala dinner in Windhoek, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah calling on Namibians to continue supporting Cuba in recognition of its assistance during Namibia's liberation struggle and decades of cooperation in healthcare, education, agriculture, engineering and sport since 1990.
17 September 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for continued solidarity with Cuba at a gala dinner, emphasizing Namibia's enduring bonds with Cuba forged through their shared liberation struggle and historical sacrifices.
17 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Assembly debated a motion of solidarity with Cuba amid its US embargo and sanctions, with Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare proposing support for the nation that played a decisive role in Namibian independence and has provided continuous support for 36 years. Parliament expressed concern that the embargo constrains Cuba's economy and reaffirmed that unilateral coercive measures contradict UN Charter principles and international law.
16 September 2026 · Informanté →
President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a keynote address at the opening of the First State of Justice Summit, calling for an efficient, accessible and trusted justice sector.
16 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change is finalising legal requirements to resubmit a motion of no confidence against National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, with parliamentarian Michael Mulunga saying the motion will be tabled once procedural requirements are completed. The motion accuses the speaker of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over parliament.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament has approved the appointment of Gerson Sindano as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia after opposition MPs walked out. Swapo's 48 members and one vote from UDF deputy president Nico Somaeb secured the appointment despite walkouts by opposition parties including the IPC, LPM, AR, NEFF, Nudo, NDP, and PDM.
10 September 2026 · New Era →
Kalimbo Iipumbu, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters leader, told The Namibian that parliament's growing dysfunction cannot be blamed on speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila alone, as the speaker, Cabinet ministers, and MPs all have constitutional duties. Iipumbu said ministers must arrive prepared to defend bills and policies, and that bills introduced without sufficient consultation compromise the quality of law-making.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party would not allow the removal of National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, dismissing an IPC motion to remove her as political theatrics and citing procedural violations. Opposition parties would need at least four Swapo votes to succeed in removing the speaker, who has faced criticism from opposition over her application of standing rules.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A Namibian Sun columnist argues that since parliament went live, it has become a soap opera focused on theatrics rather than lawmaking, with MPs performing for cameras instead of conducting legislative business.
5 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Swapo has accused the Affirmative Repositioning movement of "deliberate and politically motivated disruptive conduct" in the National Assembly, citing incidents in which AR members were removed after allegedly wearing jeans and using cellphones in the chamber. AR leader Job Amupanda dismissed the allegations as "cheap, frivolous and intellectually bankrupt," defending his MPs' parliamentary contributions.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mulunga has called for Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to be removed from her post, citing alleged failure to apply rules fairly.
4 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The National Assembly clarified that police officers protecting speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila are employed by the police, not parliament, following claims from Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda. Police command, deployment, and pay remain under the police establishment, though the National Assembly may cover travel-related security expenses authorised under the State Finance Act.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →