BREAKING: Oboth-Oboth Officially Replaces Anita Among as Speaker of Parliament

More than 500 Members of Parliament serving in Uganda’s newly inaugurated 12th Parliament on Monday cast their votes to elect a new Speaker who will preside over the House for the next five years, in a contest that attracted intense political attention and exposed the growing dominance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The election, held inside the parliamentary chambers in Kampala, drew candidates from across the political divide, although the race eventually narrowed to three major contenders battling for the powerful position often referred to as the country’s “number three” office after the President and Vice President.

Representing the ruling NRM was Jacob Oboth-Oboth, while the opposition National Unity Platform fronted Paul Mwiru. The Democratic Party candidate was Norbert Mao, who also serves as Uganda’s Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

Despite the spirited campaigns mounted by all three candidates, the numerical strength of the ruling NRM in Parliament ultimately proved decisive.

The special plenary session convened to elect the new Speaker was chaired by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija alongside the Clerk to Parliament, who guided legislators through the constitutional procedures, parliamentary rules, and voting process required for the election of the Speaker.

Lawmakers voted through a secret ballot exercise conducted under tight parliamentary procedure, with security heightened both inside and outside Parliament as political camps mobilized support for their preferred candidates.

President Yoweri Museveni, whose ruling NRM party commands a commanding majority in Parliament, had earlier secured endorsement for the party’s preferred candidates through the powerful NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), effectively consolidating support ahead of the vote.

Political observers had widely predicted that the ruling party would retain control of the Speaker’s office given its overwhelming numbers in the House, but opposition legislators still attempted to mount symbolic resistance in what became a closely watched political showdown.

When the final tally was announced, Jacob Oboth-Oboth emerged the overwhelming victor, securing a landslide victory to become Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.

Oboth-Oboth, the outgoing Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs and longtime legislator for West Budama Central, garnered 441 votes, comfortably defeating his closest challenger Paul Mwiru of the National Unity Platform, who obtained 60 votes.

Norbert Mao finished third with 15 votes.

The victory marks a major political rise for Oboth-Oboth, a seasoned legislator and lawyer who has steadily climbed through the ranks of government over the years. His candidacy had earlier gained momentum after receiving public endorsement from Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the First Son and influential Chief of Defence Forces, whose backing generated significant debate within political circles ahead of the election.

Inside Parliament, jubilant NRM legislators broke into celebration moments after the results were declared, chanting party slogans and congratulating the newly elected Speaker as opposition MPs quietly reflected on yet another defeat in a House heavily dominated by the ruling party.

The election comes at a politically sensitive time following weeks of intense speculation over the future leadership of Parliament after former Speaker Anita Annet Among exited the race amid mounting pressure and ongoing investigations surrounding her leadership and tenure in office.

Attention is now expected to shift toward the election and confirmation of other key parliamentary leaders, including committee chairpersons and commissioners, as the 12th Parliament officially begins its legislative business.

Analysts say Oboth-Oboth’s election further strengthens the grip of the ruling NRM on Uganda’s legislative arm, while also signaling the continued influence of State House and top party structures in determining the country’s most powerful political offices.