Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth is the new Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija declared him the winner on Monday after he secured 441 votes in a secret ballot at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. The vote was held during the first sitting of the new Parliament, with President Museveni in attendance.
Oboth-Oboth, the NRM flag bearer and former defence minister, beat two challengers by a wide margin.
National Unity Platform’s Paul Mwiru got 60 votes, and Democratic Party president Norbert Mao got 15.
A total of 519 ballots were counted. Three were spoilt, and no MP abstained. The outcome was expected.
Oboth-Oboth entered the race as the clear favorite after the NRM caucus endorsed him at a State House Entebbe meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday evening.
Other aspirants stepped down in his favor. He was formally nominated by Vice President Jessica Alupo before MPs cast their votes. The NRM’s dominance made the result predictable — the party holds over 350 seats in Parliament, enough to decide key votes on its own.
After the results were announced, Museveni handed Oboth-Oboth the symbols of office. He received the mace, the Ugandan flag, the Coat of Arms, the Constitution, the House Rules of Procedure, and the Speaker’s robes.
