Jacob Oboth-Oboth has been elected Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament after securing a decisive victory in a secret ballot held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the watch of President Yoweri Museveni.
The West Budama Central legislator and National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer won the highly anticipated contest with 441 votes, comfortably defeating opposition-backed candidate Paul Mwiru, who secured 60 votes, while Norbert Mao garnered 15 votes.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija officially declared Oboth-Oboth winner following the tallying of votes during the first sitting of the first session of the newly inaugurated Parliament. According to parliamentary officials, 519 ballot papers were counted, with three spoilt ballots and no abstentions recorded.
The election marked the formal opening of Uganda’s 12th Parliament and further consolidated the ruling NRM’s dominance within the legislative arm of government.
President Museveni closely followed proceedings at Kololo as lawmakers cast their votes in the race that had attracted nationwide political attention.
Oboth-Oboth entered the contest as the overwhelming favorite after receiving endorsement from the NRM parliamentary caucus during a State House Entebbe meeting chaired by Museveni, where several rival aspirants reportedly stepped down in his favor.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Speaker thanked legislators for entrusting him with what he described as one of the country’s highest offices.
“I thank you most sincerely for entrusting me today with the highest office of being your Speaker,” Oboth-Oboth said, pledging to serve all members of Parliament regardless of political affiliation.
He also expressed gratitude to President Museveni and the ruling party leadership for supporting his candidature.
The Speakership race unfolded amid heightened political interest following recent turbulence within Parliament linked to corruption investigations involving outgoing Speaker Anita Among.
Political observers say Oboth-Oboth’s election signals a new phase in Uganda’s parliamentary leadership as the ruling party seeks to stabilize the institution while maintaining firm control of the legislative agenda.
Shortly after Oboth-Oboth’s victory, Thomas Tayebwa was also re-elected Deputy Speaker, further cementing the NRM’s grip on Parliament’s top leadership positions.
Tayebwa pledged to work closely with the new Speaker to advance Parliament’s legislative responsibilities and support national development priorities.
The NRM enters the 12th Parliament with a commanding majority, a factor that largely positioned the ruling party as decisive in determining the outcome of both leadership contests.