President Yoweri Museveni has endorsed the selection of Jacob Oboth Oboth and Thomas Tayebwa to lead Uganda’s 12th Parliament, using his first public remarks on the matter to outline the ruling party’s expectations for the next legislative term.
Speaking after hosting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus at State House Entebbe on Monday evening, Museveni welcomed the endorsement of Oboth Oboth as Speaker and Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker.
The meeting marked the first formal gathering of NRM legislators ahead of the new Parliament’s leadership elections.
Museveni congratulated the two leaders, framing their endorsement as consistent with the party’s long-standing political philosophy.
He cautioned lawmakers against what he described as “bad politics,” urging them to prioritise national interests over identity-based considerations.
“When choosing leaders, we must first ask what needs to be done for the people before asking who should do it,” Museveni told the caucus, signalling a governance-first approach as the new Parliament takes shape.
The president also used the platform to reiterate the NRM’s ideological stance against sectarian politics.
He warned against the influence of religion, tribalism, gender bias and other identity markers in leadership decisions, arguing that such factors undermine effective governance and national cohesion.
Instead, Museveni directed legislators to focus on addressing citizens’ practical needs, particularly in areas tied to economic growth and livelihoods.
He emphasised wealth creation and socio-economic transformation as the central pillars that should guide parliamentary work.
“Our priority remains wealth creation and social-economic transformation through productive engagement in agriculture, services, artisanship and ICT,” he said.
The endorsement of Oboth Oboth and Tayebwa comes amid heightened political activity within the NRM as it consolidates its majority position in Parliament.
Tayebwa, who has been serving as Deputy Speaker, is widely seen as an experienced hand, while Oboth Oboth’s elevation signals a strategic shift in the party’s leadership structure.
The 12th Parliament is expected to play a critical role in shaping Uganda’s economic and legislative agenda, with the NRM leadership under pressure to deliver on development promises.
The upcoming election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be a key milestone in setting the tone for the new legislative term.