Oboth-Oboth Secures Speaker Role in Landslide Victory for 12th Parliament

Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, the Member of Parliament for West Budama Central, has been elected as the Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament. The NRM stalwart overwhelmingly won the secret ballot vote, garnering 441 out of 519 cast papers. The Chief Justice, Flavian Zeija, formally announced Oboth-Oboth’s victory at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, marking the official opening of the new parliamentary session.

Oboth-Oboth, who previously served as the Minister of Defence, was the ruling NRM party’s chosen candidate. His victory was largely anticipated given the party’s substantial majority in Parliament. He defeated his closest competitor, Paul Mwiru of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who secured 60 votes. Norbert Mao, president of the Democratic Party, received 15 votes.

President Yoweri Museveni observed the proceedings as the legislators cast their votes. Oboth-Oboth’s nomination was formally presented by Vice President Jessica Alupo. Following the announcement, Oboth-Oboth was ceremonially ushered into his new role and took the oath of office, administered by the Chief Justice.

In his inaugural address, the new Speaker pledged to lead a Parliament free from corruption, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy and a commitment to holding the executive branch accountable. This pledge comes in the wake of recent corruption allegations that have cast a shadow over the legislature, with his predecessor, Anita Among, notably absent from the proceedings.

Oboth-Oboth received the traditional symbols of authority, including the mace and the Constitution, formally empowering him to lead the 12th Parliament. The election process recorded three spoilt ballots and no abstentions out of the 519 papers counted.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)