KAMPALA, Uganda: Rt Hon Jacob Oboth Oboth and Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa have officially taken leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament following decisive victories during elections held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Monday.
The Monday sitting, presided over by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and attended by President Yoweri Museveni, marked the formal opening of the new parliamentary term amid renewed calls for accountability, anti-corruption reforms and stronger oversight of government programmes.
Oboth, the West Budama Central County legislator, was elected Speaker after securing 441 votes, defeating Paul Mwiru, who garnered 60 votes, and Norbert Mao, who polled 15 votes.
The Speaker-elect was nominated by Vice President Jessica Alupo and seconded by Kibale East MP Frank Tumwebaze.
Following the declaration of results, jubilant MPs escorted Oboth for swearing-in before he formally received the instruments of office, including the Speaker’s robes, mace, flag, Constitution and Rules of Procedure.
In his maiden speech as Speaker, Oboth described his election as a result of “faithful and strategic patience,” thanking God, President Museveni, the ruling National Resistance Movement structures and the people of West Budama Central for entrusting him with leadership.
“To those who may not have voted for me, I will be your Speaker too,” Oboth said, insisting the Speakership was “a servant’s post” and not a throne.
He pledged to run Parliament on seven key pillars, including zero tolerance to corruption, enhanced accountability, evidence-based debate, results-oriented budgeting, proactive oversight and a people-centred legislative agenda.
“Accountability begins with us. We cannot demand it from others if we do not practice it ourselves,” he said.
Oboth also committed to improving Parliament’s relationship with the media, describing journalists as “the public’s eyes and ears,” while promising reforms aimed at strengthening real-time monitoring of public resources.
“I will remain the same Oboth Oboth, not changed by the grandeur or majesty of this office,” he added.
On the other hand, Tayebwa retained the position of Deputy Speaker after polling 457 votes, defeating Asinansi Nyakato and Sarah Aguti, who secured 45 and 14 votes, respectively.
In his remarks, Tayebwa thanked President Museveni and the leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda for backing his candidature, pledging to serve with humility, fairness and unity.
“I know all the corners. I know where we need to clean up and where we need to maintain the status quo,” Tayebwa said as he promised close cooperation with Speaker Oboth.
Addressing the House shortly after the elections, President Museveni congratulated the new parliamentary leadership but warned leaders against pursuing public office without prioritising wananchi.
The President signalled a tougher approach against underperforming leaders, saying he was no longer willing to tolerate complacency in government programmes aimed at fighting poverty.
“Demand data on what has been happening in those parishes. In this kisanja, if we add Shs200 million per year, it will be an additional Shs1 billion, meaning each parish will have received more than Shs2 billion by the end of this term,” Museveni said.
He urged MPs to closely monitor wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga and the Ghetto Fund to ensure funds directly benefit communities.
“I do not want to embarrass mature people. I talk and act. Put this money on the ground and struggle, but fortunately, we now have these funds. Let us use them to lift our people out of poverty,” he added.
Museveni also warned ministers against poor performance, saying those who fail to deliver services would be dismissed.
Parliament is expected to resume sittings on June 4, 2026, when the President delivers the State of the Nation Address.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
