The election of Marksons Jacob Oboth Oboth as Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has once again drawn national attention to one of the country’s most powerful political offices.
Oboth Oboth was overwhelmingly elected Speaker on Monday, May 25, 2026, securing 441 votes in a landslide victory over Paul Mwiru of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who polled 60 votes, and Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party (DP), who received 15 votes.
His rise to the helm of Parliament came after weeks of intense political maneuvering within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), following the dramatic fall of former Speaker Anita Annet Among from the race.
Among’s withdrawal followed mounting political pressure, security raids on some of her properties, and internal party negotiations that eventually consolidated support behind Oboth Oboth as President Yoweri Museveni’s preferred candidate.
The speakership has long remained one of Uganda’s most influential offices, often reflecting the country’s broader political direction and power struggles since independence in 1962.
The Early Years: Griffin and Patel
Uganda’s first Speaker was John Bowes Griffin, who assumed office at independence in 1962. A respected jurist and former Chief Justice, Griffin was tasked with guiding the newly independent nation’s Parliament through its formative years.
A year later, Narendra M. Patel became the country’s first non-European Speaker. His tenure unfolded during one of Uganda’s most politically volatile periods as Prime Minister Milton Obote dismantled the 1962 Constitution and strengthened executive control over the state.
As tensions escalated between the executive and legislative arms of government, Parliament gradually lost influence. The situation deteriorated further following Idi Amin’s 1971 military coup, which effectively abolished parliamentary governance.
Parliament Disappears Under Amin
During Amin’s rule between 1971 and 1979, Uganda operated without a functioning Parliament. Legislative authority was replaced by military decrees and authoritarian rule.
After Amin’s overthrow, Edward Rugumayo chaired the National Consultative Council, an interim legislative body created to steer the country toward civilian administration and restore governance structures.
The Difficult 1980s and Butagira’s Era
In 1980, Francis Butagira became Speaker at a time when Uganda was engulfed in political instability, contested elections, and civil conflict.
Although Parliament resumed operations, the institution functioned under enormous pressure as the country struggled with armed rebellion and governance crises that characterized the early 1980s.
Museveni, the NRC and Political Transition
When Yoweri Museveni captured power in 1986, the National Resistance Council (NRC) became the country’s legislative authority.
Unlike a conventional Parliament, the NRC combined executive and legislative influence within the ruling movement system. Museveni chaired the structure as Uganda transitioned toward constitutional rule and institutional rebuilding.
Return of Constitutional Parliament
The promulgation of the 1995 Constitution restored a fully structured parliamentary system and redefined the role of Speaker within Uganda’s governance framework.
James Wapakhabulo became the first Speaker under the new constitutional order after previously chairing the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution.
He was succeeded by Francis Ayume, who is widely remembered for strengthening parliamentary procedures and institutional reforms during his tenure.
Ssekandi and the Return to Multiparty Politics
From 2001 to 2011, Edward Ssekandi served two consecutive terms as Speaker.
His leadership coincided with Uganda’s transition from the Movement political system back to multiparty democracy in 2005, a major turning point in the country’s political evolution.
Ssekandi later became Uganda’s Vice President.
Kadaga’s Historic Leadership
In 2011, Rebecca Kadaga made history by becoming Uganda’s first female Speaker.
During her decade-long tenure, Kadaga transformed the visibility of Parliament both locally and internationally. She occasionally clashed with sections of the executive branch while asserting Parliament’s institutional independence on key national issues.
Her leadership style earned her significant political influence within the ruling NRM and beyond.
Oulanyah, Among and the Tumultuous Transition
Jacob Oulanyah became Speaker in 2021 after defeating Kadaga in a highly contested internal NRM race backed heavily by the party establishment.
However, Oulanyah’s tenure was cut short by his death in 2022 while still serving as Speaker.
He was succeeded by Anita Annet Among, who quickly emerged as one of the most powerful and controversial figures in Uganda’s contemporary politics.
Among’s leadership of the 11th Parliament was marked by fierce political battles, growing criticism from opposition groups, corruption allegations against some parliamentary officials, and heightened public scrutiny over Parliament’s expenditure and independence.
Her eventual withdrawal from the 2026 Speaker race paved the way for Oboth Oboth’s rise.
Enter Jacob Oboth Oboth
Now, Marksons Jacob Oboth Oboth assumes office at a politically sensitive moment as Uganda navigates growing public debate over governance, accountability, and the role of Parliament.
A lawyer and longtime legislator representing West Budama Central, Oboth Oboth previously served as Minister of State for Defence, and later Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs before emerging as the NRM’s consensus choice for Speaker.
His overwhelming victory signals the ruling party’s continued dominance in Parliament, but also places enormous expectations on his leadership as Ugandans look to the 12th Parliament to restore confidence in the legislative institution.
From Griffin’s post-independence stewardship to Oboth Oboth’s rise in a deeply contested political environment, the office of Speaker has remained central to Uganda’s political story—shaped by coups, constitutional change, democratic transitions, and shifting balances of power.
You can about how Jacob Oboth Oboth rose from a village boy with a difficult childhood in Muwafu, Tororo, and became the third most important person in the whole of Uganda Here.
