Outgoing justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao got only 15 Votes as Jacob Oboth Oboth secured the12th Parliament Speaker job with 441 votes.
Paul Mwiru, the Jinja South East MP, of the main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) got 60 votes.
Up to 519 out of the 528 MPs were present to cast their votes.
Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija declared Marksons Jacob Oboth Oboth the duly elected speaker of the 12th parliament at Kololo Independence Grounds where voting by secret ballot happened.
“I therefore declare Hon Oboth, who has obtained the highest number of votes cast, as the speaker of the 12th parliament,” announced Zeija during the first sitting of the first meeting of the 12th parliament attended by President Museveni, also the national chairman of the NRM party that sponsored Oboth’s candidature.
Last week, the Laroo-Pece Division MP Norbert Mao dismissed any suggestions that he should step aside in the race for Speaker of Parliament, choosing to remain in the race.
Mao said Ugandans are focused on the wrong question if they are only debating how he would assume the role, rather than what kind of Parliament the country should have over the next five years.
“You people are going to be shocked. I am going to come back here on Tuesday as speaker of Parliament. Fortunately I won’t be wearing that horse hair. Those are going to be among the first changes,” Mao said, striking a confident tone as he made his case for the top parliamentary seat.
He also questioned why critics often focus on his chances of clinching the position instead of engaging with his broader vision for legislative leadership.
“Why do people ask how I will become Speaker?” he asked, suggesting that his campaign should instead be judged on its objectives and national direction.
Mao further emphasized that the Speakership race should not be reduced to short-term political speculation, arguing that the country must prioritize institutional leadership over individual competition.
“Our focus is not what will happen on May 25 [the date for speaker election], our focus is what sort of Parliament we will have for the next five years,” he said.
And today, his 15 votes were not enough to secure the speaker job. He will now focus beyond what has happened today.
Oboth now replaces Anita Among who was forced out of the race, and is now facing investigations, with guns reportedly found in her homes. (See Details Here and There).
You can read about the interesting facts on new speaker Jacob Oboth Here.
