Entebbe, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators against excessive competition for parliamentary leadership positions, urging party members to embrace discipline, restraint and collective responsibility as the ruling party settled on its preferred candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
Speaking during the first NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting held at State House, Entebbe on Sunday, Museveni reminded legislators that leadership within the movement has historically been guided by discipline and duty rather than personal ambition.
“When we were fighting, people did not express interest by saying they wanted to fight. You went where you were told to go. Today, because there is peace, many people are expressing interest in contesting for positions. Democracy is good, but we should be disciplined,” Museveni said.
The President further advised leaders to gradually grow through lower responsibilities before seeking bigger offices. “First, you need to be disciplined, start small and avoid debts,” he added.
Oboth, Tayebwa Officially Backed
During the meeting, the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) formally presented its recommendations for the leadership of the incoming 12th Parliament. CEC endorsed West Budama Central MP Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth as the ruling party’s official flag bearer for Speaker of Parliament.
According to the recommendations presented to the caucus, Oboth was selected based on his legal expertise, leadership credentials and ability to serve as a unifying figure capable of effectively steering parliamentary business.
The NRM Parliamentary Caucus later adopted the recommendation.
CEC also endorsed incumbent Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa as the party’s preferred candidate for Deputy Speaker. The committee cited Tayebwa’s parliamentary experience, institutional continuity, mobilization skills and youthfulness as key reasons behind the endorsement.
According to the recommendations, Tayebwa’s previous service as Government Chief Whip and Deputy Speaker had equipped him with deep understanding of parliamentary procedures and legislative management.
CEC also praised his ability to mobilize party structures and build consensus within Parliament.
His “energy, dynamism and fresh perspective” were further highlighted as qualities expected to strengthen leadership in the 12th Parliament.
The caucus subsequently adopted Tayebwa’s endorsement.
Other Aspirants Step Down
The development effectively settled weeks of intense internal lobbying and speculation within the ruling party over the two top parliamentary positions.
All other aspirants who had expressed interest in contesting for Speaker and Deputy Speaker reportedly stepped down in favour of Oboth and Tayebwa “in the spirit of the NRM party.”
The Deputy Speaker race had particularly attracted fierce competition from several high-profile MPs and ministers before the final CEC position.
Earlier in his address, Museveni congratulated newly elected legislators and thanked them for supporting his re-election before reminding them that their primary duty is national service and improving the livelihoods of Ugandans.
“I want to congratulate all of you for being elected to Parliament. Secondly, I want to thank you for supporting me. You now have a chance to contribute to your country,” Museveni said.
The President also warned leaders against reviving sectarian politics based on religion and tribe, saying such divisions had undermined previous governments before the NRM came to power.
“Politics should be about what is to be done, why it should be done and how it should be done. You start with diagnosis of the problems of the people you are leading and then prescribe the treatment,” he said.
Museveni reminded MPs that their core responsibility lies in improving household incomes and serving wananchi rather than focusing on personal privileges and positions.
The NRM enters Monday’s parliamentary elections with overwhelming numerical dominance, positioning Oboth and Tayebwa as overwhelming favourites to secure the Speaker and Deputy Speaker offices, respectively.
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