Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has been elected Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament after securing more than 400 votes during a special sitting held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on May 25, 2026.
Oboth-Oboth, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, defeated two challengers in the race. National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Paul Mwiru, who carried the backing of opposition parties, obtained 60 votes, while Democratic Party president general Norbert Mao received 15 votes.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija presided over the election, which MPs conducted through a secret ballot.
Vice President Jessica Alupo nominated Oboth-Oboth and described him as an experienced legislator and public servant capable of leading Parliament. She said his background in Parliament and government had prepared him for the position and noted that both the NRM and President Yoweri Museveni had endorsed his candidature.
MPs voted by writing the names of their preferred candidates on blank ballot papers before placing them in the ballot box.
The exercise registered three spoiled ballots after some legislators wrote names of people who were not in the race, while others included names of candidates contesting for both Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Oboth-Oboth’s victory strengthens the NRM’s grip on Parliament leadership ahead of the opening of the 12th Parliament.
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