Outgoing Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua has cast doubt on earlier political endorsements linked to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba regarding the next Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, insisting that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has not yet concluded its internal selection process.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Obua said any claims of declared candidates for the parliamentary leadership positions remain premature, noting that the party is still within its formal consultation framework.
“I believe that if there is anyone who claims to have expressed interest, I would say that the expression of interest is still irregular,” Obua stated, signaling a clear departure from recent public endorsements circulating within political circles.
He further clarified that the NRM has not officially settled on candidates for the two key parliamentary offices, emphasizing that the decision-making process is ongoing and structured within party organs.
“I don’t want to affirm that we have a candidate now. That process will definitely end on Sunday when the agreed position of the NRM has been adopted and approved by the NRM Parliamentary Caucus. For now, we are still in the process of determining,” he added.
The remarks come amid heightened political attention following Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s earlier public endorsements of Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker and incumbent Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for the Deputy Speaker position.
Muhoozi, who leads the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), had indicated that MPs aligned to his group would rally behind the two figures ahead of the parliamentary vote scheduled for May 2026.
Obua, however, moved to contextualize Muhoozi’s role in the political discourse, stressing the distinction between institutional authority and political activity.
“One should understand that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba holds three positions: CDF, Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, and Chairman of PLU. I strongly believe his roles and responsibilities as a military officer are in line with the UPDF Act as amended,” he said.
His comments appeared aimed at balancing the sensitivity around military involvement in political messaging, particularly as the country approaches a critical parliamentary leadership transition.
Obua also drew a clear distinction between the NRM as a formal political party and the Patriotic League of Uganda, which has increasingly been active in political mobilization and endorsements.
“The NRM is a registered political party under the laws of Uganda. PLU does not operate as a registered political party, implying that it is a pressure group within the NRM whose main objective is to provide internal checks and balances,” he said.
The statement underscores emerging internal dynamics within the ruling establishment as competing centres of influence shape the direction of leadership succession in Parliament.
While the NRM maintains that its caucus will formally conclude the selection process over the weekend, public declarations by influential political and military actors have already injected momentum—and tension—into the race.
The Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions are among the most powerful offices in Uganda’s legislative arm, with the current transition expected to set the tone for the 12th Parliament.