Former Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has congratulated Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth after he was elected Speaker of the 12th Parliament during a vote held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Monday.
Oboth-Oboth, the West Budama Central MP and National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, secured a decisive victory with 441 votes, comfortably defeating his closest challenger, National Unity Platform’s Paul Mwiru, who garnered 60 votes.
Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao also contested, receiving 15 votes in a tightly managed parliamentary ballot overseen by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija.
The election marked the formal opening of the 12th Parliament, with President Yoweri Museveni in attendance as MPs cast secret ballots in a highly secured session at Kololo.
Shortly after the announcement of results, Kadaga issued a congratulatory message acknowledging both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker leadership arrangement endorsed by the ruling party structures.
She stated:
“I congratulate Hon Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth and Rt.Hon. Thomas Tayebwa who were duly endorsed as candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively by the CEC and the NRM Caucus at the 1st sitting of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus of the 12th Parliament. I wish them all the best today and in the future.”
Kadaga further welcomed Oboth-Oboth’s elevation, noting the expectations tied to his legal and parliamentary background.
“The 12th Parliament has just elected the new Speaker, now Rt Hon Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth. Congratulations. No doubt, the professional and legislative experience will stand him in good stead,” she added.
Oboth-Oboth’s election was widely anticipated after the NRM Caucus endorsed him ahead of the parliamentary vote, consolidating support within the ruling party’s numerical dominance in the House.
His victory now positions him at the centre of Uganda’s legislative agenda for the next term.
Following his declaration as Speaker-elect, Oboth-Oboth was formally sworn in and presented with the instruments of office, including the parliamentary mace and constitution, before assuming the chair to preside over the first official proceedings of the new Parliament.
His win also sets the stage for Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, who is expected to serve as Deputy Speaker, completing the new leadership structure of the House as Parliament begins its 12th term.