Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth has officially been declared Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament after securing a massive victory in Monday’s election held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija announced the results after the final tally, confirming that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate had won the seat with 441 votes in a secret ballot conducted in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni.
“I therefore declare Hon Oboth, who has obtained the highest number of votes cast, as the Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Zeija said shortly after counting ended.
Oboth-Oboth, who previously served as Defence Minister, defeated National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Paul Mwiru, who received 60 votes, while Democratic Party president general Norbert Mao managed 15 votes.
A total of 519 ballot papers were counted during the exercise. Three ballots were declared spoilt and no member abstained from voting.
The election took place during the first sitting of the first meeting of the first session of Uganda’s newly inaugurated 12th Parliament.
Oboth-Oboth entered the race with strong backing from the ruling NRM party after receiving endorsement from the party caucus during a meeting chaired by Museveni at State House Entebbe on Sunday evening. Several other aspirants reportedly stepped down in his favour ahead of the vote.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is also the Woman MP for Katakwi District, formally nominated him before legislators cast their ballots.
Museveni closely monitored proceedings throughout the election as MPs lined up to vote in one of the most closely watched parliamentary contests in recent years.
The result had widely been anticipated because of the NRM’s overwhelming dominance in Parliament. The ruling party currently commands more than 350 MPs, giving it a strong numerical advantage in major House elections.
Despite the defeat, Mwiru’s 60 votes reflected united support from opposition lawmakers who rallied behind the NUP legislator against the ruling party candidate.
Monday’s election also came amid lingering controversy surrounding Parliament following corruption allegations that recently engulfed Oboth-Oboth’s predecessor, former Speaker Anita Among. Among did not attend the sitting despite remaining eligible to vote as a Member of Parliament.
After the declaration, Oboth-Oboth was ceremonially escorted by fellow legislators in keeping with parliamentary tradition before being presented to Museveni to take the official oath of office.
Museveni later handed him the instruments of power linked to the Office of the Speaker, including the parliamentary mace, which symbolises authority over the House.
The new Speaker also received the Ugandan flag, the national Coat of Arms, the Constitution, the Rules of Procedure and the official Speaker’s robes, formally ushering him into leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
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