Politics 24 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NRM Endorses Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa for Top Parliament Posts
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has thrown its full support behind Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth for Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament following a significant number of withdrawals from aspirants. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nrm-throws-weight-behind-oboth-oboth-tayebwa-in-parliament-races-5471674
In a decisive move, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has solidified its leadership for the upcoming 12th Parliament, endorsing Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth for Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker. This decision came after a crucial meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, where seventeen aspirants for these top positions stepped down.
The mass withdrawal effectively clears the path for Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa to represent the NRM in the parliamentary elections. Oboth-Oboth is set to compete against Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party and Paul Mwiru of the National Unity Platform for the Speaker’s role. Tayebwa, however, emerged as the sole NRM candidate for Deputy Speaker after all his challengers withdrew their bids.
The party leadership, including NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, praised the aspirants who stepped aside for their “spirit of unity and discipline.” The endorsements were later confirmed through a show-of-hands vote within the NRM parliamentary caucus, presided over by the NRM Electoral Commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, who declared both candidates unanimously supported.
President Museveni addressed the caucus, urging legislators to move beyond identity politics and focus on ideology and service delivery, emphasizing the NRM’s historical stance against divisive political practices. He called for a focus on diagnosing societal problems and finding solutions, rather than solely concentrating on who holds leadership positions.
With the NRM holding a substantial majority in the 12th Parliament, their endorsed candidates are traditionally in a strong position to win the elections, which are scheduled to be conducted by secret ballot. The party’s strong numerical advantage historically ensures their control over these key parliamentary roles. The withdrawals signal the party’s effort to present a united front and avoid internal divisions that could potentially impact parliamentary proceedings.