MUKONO — Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has informed outgoing Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth that President Museveni has endorsed him as the next Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
The message was delivered by Daudi Kabanda, Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), during Oboth Oboth’s thanksgiving celebration in Mukono attended by generals, ministers and hundreds of MPs and MPs-elect.
“Gen. Muhoozi instructed me to inform everybody here and Hon. Oboth Oboth that you are the next Speaker of Parliament,” Kabanda told the crowd.
He added: “Gen. Muhoozi also consulted with President Museveni who endorsed you as the next Speaker.”
Kabanda’s remarks come days after Muhoozi publicly endorsed Oboth Oboth on X, describing him as “the best Minister in our government for the past 5 years.”
“I want to be the first to endorse him for Speaker of Parliament (2026-2031). God bless Hon. Oboth-Oboth!” Muhoozi posted.
In another post, Muhoozi declared: “There is no Speakership battle. Our God Jesus Christ won that battle a long time ago. We already have our new Speaker. Supported by UPDF!”
The Mukono event attracted powerful figures including Gen. James Mugira, underlining the growing establishment backing behind Oboth Oboth’s bid.
The development comes amid a dramatic realignment inside the ruling National Resistance Movement after PLU withdrew support for Speaker Anita Annet Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa despite their earlier endorsement by the NRM Central Executive Committee.
Muhoozi has in recent days repeatedly attacked corruption and extravagant spending, comments widely linked to the controversy surrounding Among following reports that she acquired a Rolls Royce reportedly worth billions of shillings.
On his part, Oboth said greed for money was the root of the country’s problems.
”In this country, what is causing problems is people wanting to be what they are not. We should be contented with what we have,” said Oboth.
“It is the modest in me that makes me see things from far. It is very difficult to be a Minister of Defence and see things different. I’m still the same Oboth Oboth with the same short-sleeved shirt. To cause change, you don’t need a lot of money in your pocket.”
