President Yoweri Museveni has endorsed Jacob Oboth Oboth as the next Speaker of Parliament, in a major development that could reshape the leadership of the 12th Parliament and spell the end of Anita Among’s tenure.
The revelation was made by David Kabanda, Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), during a thanksgiving ceremony held at Oboth Oboth’s home in Mukono’s Kyungu village.
The event attracted a large gathering of political heavyweights, including Members of Parliament, ministers, and senior security officials.
“I want to inform you and your family and the Members of Parliament who are here that you are going to be the next speaker of the 12th Parliament,” announced Kabanda, who is also the Kasambya MP.
“Before you sit, this message has come from the Chairman of PLU, and he has instructed me to inform you that it has been endorsed by His Excellency the President of Uganda.”
Kabanda addressed a visibly excited crowd of more than 200 legislators and dignitaries, declaring Oboth Oboth as the preferred candidate for the powerful parliamentary position.
“This is our next Speaker. He has been loyal and patient for some time,” Kabanda said.
He further reminded them that Oboth Oboth had previously expressed interest in the speakership in 2021 but obeyed President Museveni’s directive to drop out, a decision now being framed as a demonstration of loyalty to the party leadership.
At the thanksgiving ceremony were hundreds of newly elected Members of Parliament who subscribe to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). A number of them have made known their support for Oboth Oboth.
Kabanda rallied fellow MPs and urged CEC members to back Oboth Oboth.
“I appeal to members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and Members of Parliament that when President Museveni presents the name of Oboth Oboth, it should be unanimously supported. As the caucus, we shall fully endorse him,” Kabanda said.
Days ago, the Patriotic League of Uganda officially cancelled its support for Speaker Anita Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, signaling a shift in internal political alignments ahead of the contest.
On his part, Oboth Oboth praised the ministry of defence where he has been minister before confirming his interest in the speaker job.
“The five years I have spent in this Ministry have been amazing. I want to thank you for being good to me,” said Oboth Oboth.
“And now that you people, according to what I have been hearing from speakers here, who am I to decline [running for speaker].”
The newly sworn-in Budama West Central MP appeared to embrace the growing calls for him to take up the role, as supporters rallied behind his candidacy ahead of the vote expected soon.
The event was also attended by influential members of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party’s top decision-making organ, whose backing is critical in determining the Speaker. These included Dr Fred Tanga Odoi, who oversees party electoral processes; Rose Namayanja Nsereko, responsible for party administration; Haruna Kasolo, a senior party mobiliser in the central region; John Baptist Loki, representing the Karamoja region at the top organ; and Calvin Echodu, who represents eastern Uganda in the party’s highest decision-making body.
With the President’s endorsement now out in the open and key party figures rallying behind him, Oboth Oboth’s path to the speakership appears increasingly solid, setting up a high-stakes transition in Uganda’s parliamentary leadership.
Oboth Oboth also warned against corruption and extravagance.
“In this country, what is causing problems is people wanting to be what they are not. We should be contented with what we have. It is the modest in me that makes me see things from far,” he said.
“It is very difficult to be a Minister of Defence and see things different. I am still the same Oboth Oboth with the same short-sleeved shirt. To cause change, you don’t need a lot of money in your pocket.”
Meanwhile, security agencies have raided the home of Anita Among, and there are reports that Parliament spokesperson Chris Obore. (See Details Here and There).
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