Former Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has been elected Speaker of the 12th Parliament of Uganda in a decisive vote held at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds today.

Oboth-Oboth, the MP for West Budama County South, secured a commanding victory with 441votes out of 516 valid ballots cast, defeating opposition challengers Paul Mwiru of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who received 60 votes, and Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party (DP), who garnered 15 votes. The election was overseen by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija in accordance with the Constitution.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which holds a strong majority had unanimously endorsed Oboth-Oboth as its flag bearer following caucus and Central Executive Committee meetings. Incumbent Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa is also widely expected to retain his position in a parallel election.

In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker pledged to uphold the dignity of the House, promote legislative efficiency, and foster greater accountability. “This Parliament must serve the people of Uganda with integrity and focus on delivering tangible development,” Oboth-Oboth said. “We shall work across the political divide to address the challenges facing our nation, from economic recovery to service delivery.”

Oboth, a lawyer and intellectual property expert born in 1971, brings extensive experience to the role. He previously served as Minister of Defence and has been a key figure in the NRM. His endorsement earlier by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) under Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba added momentum to his bid.

The election marks the formal start of the 12th Parliament following the recent general elections. It comes after the tenure of outgoing Speaker Anita Among, whose leadership faced criticism over governance and accountability issues. Opposition MPs used the occasion to call for stronger oversight and anti-corruption measures in the new term.

President Yoweri Museveni attended the proceedings and congratulated the new leadership, urging them to prioritize national unity and socio-economic transformation.

Political analysts note that Oboth-Oboth’s election is expected to bring stability to parliamentary leadership given the NRM’s dominance, though observers will watch closely how the House handles debates on key issues such as the national budget, electoral reforms, and regional security.

The 12th Parliament is set to run until 2031. Further swearing-in of committee leaders and the formal opening are expected in the coming weeks.