Just In: Jacob Oboth-Oboth Wins Race For Speaker With 441 Votes

By Swift Reporter

Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has officially been elected Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament after securing a landslide victory in Monday’s election held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija announced the results following the final tally, confirming that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate won with 441 votes in a secret ballot conducted in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni.

“I therefore declare Hon. Oboth, who has obtained the highest number of votes cast, as the Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Zeija announced shortly after the counting process ended.

Oboth-Oboth, who previously served as Minister of Defence, defeated National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Paul Mwiru, who garnered 60 votes, while Democratic Party president general Norbert Mao secured 15 votes.

A total of 519 ballot papers were counted during the exercise, with three ballots declared spoilt. No member abstained from voting.

The election was conducted during the first sitting of the first meeting of the first session of Uganda’s newly inaugurated 12th Parliament.

Oboth-Oboth entered the race with strong backing from the ruling NRM after receiving endorsement from the party caucus during a meeting chaired by Museveni at State House Entebbe on Sunday evening. Several aspirants reportedly stepped down in his favour ahead of the vote.

Vice President Jessica Alupo, who also serves as the Woman MP for Katakwi District, formally nominated him before legislators cast their ballots.

Museveni closely followed the proceedings as MPs lined up to vote in one of the most closely watched parliamentary contests in recent years.

The outcome had largely been anticipated due to the NRM’s overwhelming numerical strength in Parliament. The ruling party currently controls more than 350 seats, giving it a commanding advantage in major House elections.

Despite the defeat, Mwiru’s 60 votes reflected consolidated support from opposition lawmakers who rallied behind the NUP legislator against the ruling party candidate.

Monday’s election also took place amid lingering controversy surrounding Parliament following corruption allegations that recently engulfed Oboth-Oboth’s predecessor, former Speaker Anita Among. Among did not attend the sitting despite remaining eligible to vote as a Member of Parliament.

Following the declaration of results, Oboth-Oboth was ceremonially escorted by fellow legislators in line with parliamentary tradition before being presented to Museveni to take the official oath of office.

Museveni later handed him the instruments of power associated with the Office of the Speaker, including the parliamentary mace, which symbolises authority over the House.

The new Speaker also received the Ugandan flag, the national Coat of Arms, the Constitution, the Rules of Procedure, and the official Speaker’s robes, formally ushering him into leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.