KAMPALA — Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has been elected Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament after securing a commanding victory in the Speakership election held during the first sitting of the new Parliament at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Monday.

Oboth-Oboth, the Member of Parliament for West Budama South and former Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, received 441 votes to defeat Democratic Party President General Norbert Mao, who garnered 15 votes, and National Unity Platform legislator Paul Mwiru, who secured 60 votes.

The election was conducted in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni and presided over by Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, marking a significant moment in the formation of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.

The landslide victory came shortly after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) endorsed Oboth-Oboth as its official flag bearer for the Speakership during a parliamentary caucus meeting held at State House Entebbe.

The caucus meeting brought together members of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and newly elected NRM legislators to agree on candidates for top parliamentary leadership positions. During the meeting, the party also endorsed incumbent Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to retain his position.

According to legislators who attended the closed-door discussions, the endorsement process was concluded through consensus, leading several contenders to withdraw from the race in support of the party’s official position.

An NRM legislator described the process as a demonstration of party unity, discipline, and commitment to collective decision-making.

The Speakership race had initially attracted a number of aspirants, including outgoing Speaker Anita Annet Among, whose bid to retain the office reportedly weakened amid growing calls for leadership renewal within Parliament.

Other legislators, including Forke Alioni Odria, Florence Asiimwe Akiiki, and Persis Namuganza, had also expressed interest before eventually stepping aside.

Oboth-Oboth, a lawyer and seasoned legislator, has represented West Budama South in Parliament for several terms and previously served in key government positions, including Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

He also received backing from the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political pressure group chaired by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, which publicly endorsed his candidature ahead of the vote.

Following his election, political analysts said Oboth-Oboth’s leadership is expected to shape the direction of parliamentary business during the 12th Parliament, particularly as lawmakers prepare to debate critical national issues, including economic reforms, governance, and service delivery.

Meanwhile, Thomas Tayebwa is expected to continue serving as Deputy Speaker, a role he has held since 2022 following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and subsequent changes in parliamentary leadership.

The inauguration of the new Parliament signals the beginning of another legislative term dominated by the NRM, which continues to hold a strong majority in the House.