ENTEBBE, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has formally backed Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth and Thomas Tayebwa as the ruling party’s candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
The endorsement followed a high-level National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus meeting at State House in Entebbe, where party legislators and allied independents rallied behind the two leaders ahead of the parliamentary vote.
Museveni congratulated the pair and urged lawmakers to prioritise ideology over personality-driven politics.
“When choosing leaders, we must first ask what needs to be done for the people before asking who should do it,” Museveni said.
The decision effectively ends weeks of internal contestation within the National Resistance Movement following the withdrawal of Anita Annet Among from the Speakership race amid mounting political pressure and corruption scrutiny.
Party insiders indicate that at least 18 aspirants stepped down ahead of the caucus vote, paving the way for a consensus position endorsed earlier by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).
The consolidation signals a strategic move by the ruling party to stabilise parliamentary leadership and project unity ahead of the 12th Parliament’s first sitting.
While Oboth-Oboth’s nomination has largely been received without resistance, Tayebwa’s endorsement has sparked intense political debate both within Uganda and across social platforms.
Critics argue that as Deputy Speaker in the 11th Parliament, Tayebwa cannot be fully detached from the controversies that surrounded the outgoing leadership under Among.
Some commentators have questioned whether accountability is being applied selectively.
Among them is Ronald Amanyire, who raised concerns about what he described as inconsistent scrutiny of public officials.
“The pattern of selective scrutiny is unmistakable,” Amanyire argued, warning that such perceptions could erode public trust in anti-corruption efforts.
The endorsement has exposed a deeper fault line within Uganda’s political landscape, continuity versus accountability.
Supporters of the NRM decision argue that retaining Tayebwa ensures institutional stability and legislative continuity.
However, critics maintain that separating responsibility between the Speaker and Deputy Speaker risks undermining accountability in public office.
Political analyst Venansius Baryamureeba is among those who have weighed in, highlighting the broader governance implications of the decision.
The developments have also reignited debate around gender representation in Uganda’s top political offices.
Also Read: The rise and fall of Anita Among: A story of power, wealth and political reckoning
With both Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa now positioned as frontrunners, the 12th Parliament could begin with an all-male leadership team following Among’s exit, a shift that has drawn concern from women’s rights advocates and sections of the political class.
Despite the NRM’s numerical advantage, the contest is not entirely uncontested.
The National Unity Platform has fronted Paul Mwiru, while Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party is also positioning himself in the race.
However, given the ruling party’s dominance in Parliament, Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa remain overwhelming favourites heading into the decisive vote.
Museveni’s endorsement underscores the NRM’s continued grip on Uganda’s legislative direction while revealing underlying tensions around governance, accountability, and political succession.
As Members of Parliament convene at Kololo for the first sitting, the outcome will not only determine parliamentary leadership but also set the tone for the next phase of Uganda’s political trajectory.
