Oboth-Oboth Positioned as Leading Contender for Speakership

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1359 EAT on Monday 25 May 2026

Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has reportedly emerged as the winner in the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, following decisive backing from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership in a tightly contested internal selection process.

Oboth-Oboth, the West Budama South MP and former Minister of Defence, is said to have secured the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) endorsement, effectively positioning him as the incoming Speaker ahead of the formal parliamentary vote and subsequent procedural confirmation by the House.

The development follows a series of internal party consultations that narrowed the field for Parliament’s top leadership positions, with the ruling party settling on its preferred candidates for both Speaker and Deputy Speaker roles.

Given the NRM’s commanding majority in Parliament, the party’s endorsement is widely viewed as decisive in determining the outcome of the Speakership race, with party caucus alignment expected to translate into a comfortable parliamentary victory.

Political observers note that Oboth-Oboth’s reported victory reflects continued consolidation of influence by the ruling party over key parliamentary offices, which play a central role in shaping legislative direction, managing House business, and overseeing oversight of government policy.

If confirmed, Oboth-Oboth will assume leadership of the 12th Parliament at a time when scrutiny of parliamentary operations and governance practices remains high, following sustained public debate over accountability and institutional integrity in the previous Parliament.

The Speakership, one of the most powerful positions in Uganda’s political system, carries significant influence over legislative priorities, committee oversight structures, and relations between Parliament and the executive arm of government.

While formal announcement and swearing-in procedures are still expected, sources within parliamentary and political circles indicate that the outcome is no longer in doubt, pending official confirmation by the House.

Oboth-Oboth’s rise also signals continuity within the ruling establishment, as the NRM maintains its dominant position in shaping the leadership structure of Parliament through its numerical strength and internal party decision-making mechanisms.

If confirmed, he will be tasked with presiding over a new parliamentary term expected to grapple with key national priorities including governance reforms, economic oversight, and legislative accountability.

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