Museveni Endorses Oboth Oboth for Speakership, Says Kabanda

By Skika Reporter 

The Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), Daudi Kabanda, has said President Museveni has endorsed Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth, commonly known as Oboth Oboth, for the position of Speaker of the 12th Parliament.

Kabanda made the remarks on Friday during a thanksgiving ceremony held at Oboth Oboth’s home in Kyungu Village, Mukono District, attended by more than 200 Members of Parliament, ministers, and senior security officials.

“I want to inform you and your family and the Members of Parliament who are here that you are going to be the next Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Kabanda told the cheering crowd.

“And before you sit, this message has come from the Chairman of PLU, and he has instructed me to inform you that it has been endorsed by His Excellency the President of Uganda,” he added.

Kabanda described Oboth Oboth as a loyal and patient leader who had long waited for the opportunity.

“This is our next Speaker. He has been loyal and patient for some time,” Kabanda said, adding that Oboth Oboth had intended to contest for the Speakership in 2021 but stepped aside at President Museveni’s request.

Hundreds of newly elected National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament attended the thanksgiving ceremony, with many openly pledging support for Oboth Oboth ahead of the Speaker election scheduled for May 25, 2026.

Kabanda urged members of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the parliamentary caucus to rally behind the minister if his name is officially presented by President Museveni.

“I appeal to members of the Central Executive Committee and Members of Parliament that when President Museveni presents the name of Oboth Oboth, it should be unanimously supported. As the caucus, we shall fully endorse him,” he said.

The PLU, a political pressure group with support among several legislators, recently withdrew backing for incumbent Speaker Anita Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, for another term in office.

Kabanda’s endorsement came shortly after Oboth Oboth bid farewell to colleagues at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

“The five years I have spent in this Ministry have been amazing. I want to thank you for being good to me, and now that you people, according to what I have been hearing from speakers here … who am I to decline?” Oboth Oboth told the gathering.

Speaking on corruption and leadership, the Budama West Central MP said greed was one of the country’s biggest challenges.

“In this country, what is causing problems is people who want to be what they are not,” he said.

“This is my home. I have no fear if you judge me that my house looks bad. Am I coming to sleep in your house? I am content,” he added.

He further said effective leadership does not require excessive wealth.

“It’s the modest in me that is making me to be seen from far. To cause a change, you don’t need too much money, but you just need enough,” he noted.

The event attracted several top NRM officials, including Dr Tanga Odoi, Rose Namayanja, Haruna Kasolo, Loki John Baptist, and David Echodu, all members of the party’s influential Central Executive Committee.

A number of MPs who addressed the gathering endorsed Oboth Oboth and pledged to vote for him during the Speakership election.

Meanwhile, incumbent Speaker Anita Among remained under mounting pressure following security operations at her residences in Nakasero, Kololo, and Kigo over allegations linked to corruption, money laundering, and illicit enrichment.

Several politicians had also expressed interest in the Speakership race, including Democratic Party president Norbert Mao, State Minister Persis Namuganza, Lydia Wanyoto, Alion Yorke Odria, and Dr Florence Asiimwe Akiiki.

Both Wanyoto and Odria attended Friday’s thanksgiving ceremony and publicly endorsed Oboth Oboth’s candidature.

The election for Speaker of the 12th Parliament is scheduled for May 25, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests within the ruling NRM and Parliament at large.