Three MPs have embarrassed the 12th parliament after their votes were declared invalid during the election of the Speaker of the 12th Parliament for failing to correctly write the names of the candidates on the ballot papers.
The spoiled ballots were announced during the tallying of votes in the closely watched election held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Monday, 25 May 2026.
Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija presided over the election in Kampala as President Yoweri Museveni, the national chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party observed the proceedings.
Names for different MPs were called, and each proceeded to write the name of their preferred choice on a piece of paper.
According to official result, three votes were rejected after the MPs failed to properly indicate the names of their preferred candidates as required under the voting guidelines.
The incident sparked murmurs and quiet laughter among legislators, with several MPs expressing disbelief that fellow lawmakers could fail to correctly complete ballot papers during such an important constitutional exercise.
The election was conducted through a secret ballot, with MPs required to write the name of the candidate they supported before casting their vote.
Oboth-Oboth, the West Budama Central MP and former minister, entered the race as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer after securing endorsement from the party caucus during a meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe.
Museveni personally attended the sitting and watched proceedings as Oboth-Oboth secured an overwhelming victory, underlining the significance the ruling party attached to the election of parliamentary leaders.
The NRM’s numerical strength in Parliament heavily tilted the contest in Oboth-Oboth’s favour, with the ruling party rallying MPs behind his candidature ahead of the vote.
The election also marked the end of Anita Among’s tenure as Speaker after weeks of intense political maneuvering, internal consultations, and growing pressure within the ruling party.
Oboth-Oboth’s victory signaled a major political shift in Parliament and cemented his rise as one of the most influential figures within the NRM and the country’s legislative politics.
Meanwhile, big-talking Norbert Mao got only 15 votes. (See full results Here).
Oboth Oboth has been sworn in as speaker. He 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.
