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Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus has endorsed Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker of Parliament and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker ahead of the formation of the 12th Parliament.

The decision follows a high-level meeting of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe, where party leaders reportedly agreed on the two candidates for the influential parliamentary positions.

Oboth-Oboth, the former State Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for West Budama South, emerged as the party’s preferred candidate for Speaker after weeks of internal consultations and growing political maneuvering within the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Tayebwa, who has served as Deputy Speaker since 2022, secured the caucus backing to retain his current role in the next Parliament.

The endorsements come after a competitive internal expression-of-interest process that attracted several NRM legislators seeking the party flag for both positions. According to the NRM Electoral Commission chaired by Dr. Tanga Odoi, four legislators had expressed interest in the Speakership while 16 contenders entered the race for Deputy Speaker.

Political observers say the ruling party’s decision effectively positions Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa as frontrunners for the two offices given the NRM’s dominant majority in Parliament.

The race for parliamentary leadership intensified following uncertainty surrounding the future leadership structure of the 12th Parliament and growing internal competition among regional and political blocs within the ruling party.

Oboth-Oboth’s endorsement had earlier received backing from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), an organization associated with Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who publicly praised the legislator’s leadership credentials.

Tayebwa has similarly maintained strong support within sections of the party after serving as Deputy Speaker during the 11th Parliament, where he oversaw parliamentary business following the elevation of former Deputy Speaker Anita Among to Speaker after the death of Jacob Oulanyah in 2022.

The internal selection process was not without controversy. Reports indicated that Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza attempted to join the Speakership race but faced eligibility challenges because she is considered an NRM-leaning independent rather than an official NRM flag bearer.

The final endorsement by the NRM caucus is expected to significantly shape the upcoming parliamentary vote for Speaker and Deputy Speaker as the country prepares for the opening of the 12th Parliament.

Political analysts say the leadership choices will play a key role in determining Parliament’s relationship with the Executive, legislative priorities, and internal power dynamics within the ruling party over the next five years.

The race for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer positions for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament has intensified after several ruling party legislators formally expressed interest in the influential parliamentary offices.

According to the NRM Electoral Commission, four candidates have entered the race for the Speakership, while 16 contenders are battling for the Deputy Speaker position ahead of internal party vetting and caucus elections.

The development follows a directive from the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), which authorized the opening of expressions of interest for NRM members seeking to contest for the top parliamentary leadership positions.

Addressing journalists after the close of the exercise, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Tanga Odoi confirmed that the competition had attracted significant interest from lawmakers across different regions of the country.

Among those who officially expressed interest in the Speakership race are Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, the Member of Parliament for West Budama Central, Florence Asiimwe Akiiki, the Woman MP for Masindi District, and Alioni Yorke Odria, the MP for Aringa South Constituency in Yumbe District.

Reports also indicated that Persis Namuganza attempted to join the race but faced eligibility questions because she is considered an NRM-leaning independent rather than an official NRM flagbearer in Parliament. Dr. Tanga Odoi said the matter would ultimately be handled by the party’s top leadership.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speakership race has attracted an unusually large field of candidates, including incumbent Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and several senior politicians, ministers, and regional representatives.

Other notable contenders for the Deputy Speaker slot include Lydia Wanyoto, Henry Tumukunde, Jackson Kafuuzi, Catherine Lamwaka, and Rose Obiga among others.

The internal contest comes at a politically significant moment as the ruling party seeks to shape the leadership of the incoming 12th Parliament following the 2026 general elections.

According to Dr. Tanga Odoi, all aspirants are expected to undergo vetting by the NRM Central Executive Committee before the final names are forwarded to the party’s parliamentary caucus for endorsement.

He noted that the CEC retains the authority to either shortlist candidates or allow all qualified aspirants to proceed to the caucus vote.

The NRM, which holds a dominant majority in Parliament, is widely expected to determine the eventual occupants of both offices once internal party processes are completed.

Political analysts say the race reflects growing internal competition within the ruling party as different factions and regional blocs position themselves for influence in the next Parliament.

The Speakership and Deputy Speakership positions remain among the most powerful offices in Uganda’s political system, overseeing parliamentary business, legislative debates, and interactions between Parliament and the Executive.

Yoweri Museveni has publicly responded to veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda in a strongly worded statement defending his leadership, industrialization agenda, and government-backed investment projects.

In a lengthy commentary titled “Mr Mwenda, thank you for declaring me incapable of judging right,” President Museveni accused Mwenda of dismissing Uganda’s industrial and scientific progress while promoting what he described as “neo-colonial” thinking.

The president’s response followed criticism reportedly made by Mwenda questioning several government-supported projects and Museveni’s decision-making capacity.

Museveni opened his response by sarcastically thanking the journalist for describing him as “senile and incapable of judging right,” before insisting that even at 82 years old he remained capable of defending Uganda “with the Bible, the AK-47 and the pen.”

The Ugandan leader went on to challenge Mwenda to personally investigate several locally driven projects and innovations that government has supported over the years.

Among the projects Museveni defended were herbal medicine initiatives associated with David Ssenfuka, industrial ventures led by Magoola and Tugume, banana research projects linked to Professor Muranga, and the state-backed Kiira Motors vehicle manufacturing initiative.

According to Museveni, critics who dismiss such projects fail to appreciate the importance of industrialization and value addition in Africa’s economic transformation.

The president argued that Uganda and Africa continue losing enormous wealth by exporting raw materials instead of processed products.

As an example, Museveni pointed to gold exports, claiming Africa loses significant value by exporting partially refined gold rather than fully processed products. He also cited coffee exports, arguing that processed coffee generates far higher earnings than raw coffee beans.

Museveni further defended his government’s decision to ban the export of unprocessed minerals, saying the policy has helped expand Uganda’s gold refining industry.

According to the president, Uganda now hosts 10 gold refineries and has significantly increased its gold export earnings in recent years.

The public exchange has drawn significant attention because of the long and complex relationship between Museveni and Mwenda, who has for years remained one of Uganda’s most influential political commentators.

Mwenda, founder of The Independent Uganda, is widely known for his outspoken political analysis and commentary on governance, economics, and African development.

Analysts say the latest clash reflects broader ideological debates in Uganda surrounding industrial policy, state intervention, scientific innovation, and the country’s economic direction.

The dispute also highlights growing tensions between sections of Uganda’s intellectual and political class over the effectiveness of government-backed industrialization projects and public investment strategies.

While supporters of Museveni argue that state-led industrialization remains critical for Uganda’s long-term transformation, critics have questioned the sustainability, accountability, and commercial viability of some publicly supported ventures.

The exchange has since sparked widespread debate online and within political circles, with supporters from both sides weighing in on the future of Uganda’s economic development model.