Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus has endorsed Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker of Parliament and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker ahead of the formation of the 12th Parliament.
The decision follows a high-level meeting of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe, where party leaders reportedly agreed on the two candidates for the influential parliamentary positions.
Oboth-Oboth, the former State Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for West Budama South, emerged as the party’s preferred candidate for Speaker after weeks of internal consultations and growing political maneuvering within the ruling party.
Meanwhile, Tayebwa, who has served as Deputy Speaker since 2022, secured the caucus backing to retain his current role in the next Parliament.
The endorsements come after a competitive internal expression-of-interest process that attracted several NRM legislators seeking the party flag for both positions. According to the NRM Electoral Commission chaired by Dr. Tanga Odoi, four legislators had expressed interest in the Speakership while 16 contenders entered the race for Deputy Speaker.
Political observers say the ruling party’s decision effectively positions Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa as frontrunners for the two offices given the NRM’s dominant majority in Parliament.
The race for parliamentary leadership intensified following uncertainty surrounding the future leadership structure of the 12th Parliament and growing internal competition among regional and political blocs within the ruling party.
Oboth-Oboth’s endorsement had earlier received backing from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), an organization associated with Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who publicly praised the legislator’s leadership credentials.
Tayebwa has similarly maintained strong support within sections of the party after serving as Deputy Speaker during the 11th Parliament, where he oversaw parliamentary business following the elevation of former Deputy Speaker Anita Among to Speaker after the death of Jacob Oulanyah in 2022.
The internal selection process was not without controversy. Reports indicated that Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza attempted to join the Speakership race but faced eligibility challenges because she is considered an NRM-leaning independent rather than an official NRM flag bearer.
The final endorsement by the NRM caucus is expected to significantly shape the upcoming parliamentary vote for Speaker and Deputy Speaker as the country prepares for the opening of the 12th Parliament.
Political analysts say the leadership choices will play a key role in determining Parliament’s relationship with the Executive, legislative priorities, and internal power dynamics within the ruling party over the next five years.