First son, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairman Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has endorsed Jacob Oboth-Oboth for speaker after a State House meeting that rejected Anita Among.
Muhoozi made the announced after yesterday’s meeting at State House Entebbe involving Museveni and Anita Among.
Sources said Museveni and Muhoozi met with other powerful government and NRM officials to decide Anita Among’s fate later in the night.
Praising Oboth-Oboth as the best there has been in cabinet since 2021, Gen Muhoozi said he wanted to be the first top official to express his support for Oboth-Oboth.
“We have already made our decision on the new Speaker (a man). Men were born to lead. That’s the natural order of things,” said Muhoozi on May 15, 2026.
“He has been the best Minister in our government for the past 5 years. I want to be the first to endorse him for Speaker of Parliament (2026-2031). God bless Hon.Oboth-Oboth!”
JACOB OBOTH-OBOTH PROFILE: Who’s Muhoozi’s Choice for Speaker?
Marksons Jacob Oboth-Oboth’s story is one of steady rise shaped by grit, education and political ambition. Born on April 13, 1971, in Tororo District, eastern Uganda, he has grown into a key figure in government, serving as both a legislator and cabinet minister with influence in the country’s legal and defence sectors.
His early years were far from easy. Raised in a modest Anglican family, Oboth-Oboth has often been described as someone who had to work for survival from a young age. He reportedly took on small jobs and, at one point, dropped out of school because of fees. Help from well-wishers later enabled him to return to class—an experience that would shape his determination going forward.
That determination carried into his education. He studied at Muwafu Primary School and St Denis Ssebugwawo Secondary School before joining Tororo High School for his A-Level studies. From there, he entered Makerere University, earning a Bachelor of Laws degree, and later obtained a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. He would go on to pursue a Master of Laws degree in election and cyber law from the University of Minnesota, adding an international dimension to his legal training.
Before stepping into politics, Oboth-Oboth built his career quietly in public service. He worked as a state attorney in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, including a posting in Mbale. He also served as a legal adviser within the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, a role that exposed him to both formal legal systems and traditional leadership structures.
His political breakthrough came in 2011 when he contested for the West Budama South parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. In a race that drew significant attention, he defeated then State Minister Dr Emmanuel Otaala. Although the result was challenged in court, it was upheld, marking the beginning of his journey in elective politics.
Since then, Oboth-Oboth has managed to hold onto his seat, winning re-election and building a reputation as a grassroots politician with a firm base in his constituency. His ability to connect with voters and maintain support over time has set him apart in a region where political competition is often intense.
Inside Parliament, he has taken on several weighty responsibilities. He has chaired committees on Rules, Discipline and Privileges, Natural Resources, and later Legal and Parliamentary Affairs—one of the most influential committees in shaping legislation. His role on the Parliamentary Business Committee has also placed him close to the centre of decision-making in the House.
His growing profile in Parliament eventually opened the door to the executive. He first served as State Minister for Defence before being promoted to Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs by President Yoweri Museveni. In that position, he oversees Uganda’s defence policy and the welfare of military veterans, placing him at the heart of national security matters.
Like many figures in public life, his career has not been without controversy. He was among officials investigated in connection with the Karamoja iron sheets scandal, a case involving the diversion of relief items meant for vulnerable communities. He recorded statements with investigators, reflecting the scrutiny that comes with holding high office.
Even so, Oboth-Oboth remains firmly embedded in Uganda’s political landscape. He continues to balance his roles in government with involvement in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), where he has shown interest in internal leadership positions. His journey—from a struggling schoolboy to a senior government official—captures both the challenges and possibilities within Uganda’s political system.
Oboth-Oboth has also previously expressed interest in the speaker race.
It should be remembered that Anita Among’s UK house doubled her troubles in the State House meeting as Museveni reportedly presented intelligence reports to pin the speaker – a day after a special meeting of NRM CEC bosses – excluding Anita Among and her allies – was held to decide Anita Among’s future, as reported Here and There.
Anita Among also reportedly told Museveni that it was Rebecca Kadaga fighting her and that she wanted her speaker job. Anita Among also pleaded with Museveni to let NRM CEC members to vote on the party’s flag bearer for the speaker race. (See Details Here and There).
