TAKEAWAYS

• Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has publicly endorsed State Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker of Parliament (2026–2031), praising him as the government’s “best minister” over the past five years.
• The endorsement has shocked political observers because the Speaker race had largely been viewed as a contest between current Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
• The development comes amid reported uncertainty within the NRM after earlier indications that the party leadership supported Among and Tayebwa before allegedly reconsidering its position.

The Chief of Defence Forces and PLU leader, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has stirred fresh political debate after publicly endorsing State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, for Speaker of Parliament.

In a post shared on his X account on Thursday night, Gen. Muhoozi praised Oboth-Oboth’s performance in government and declared support for his bid to lead the 12th Parliament.

“He has been 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!” — Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba

The endorsement immediately sent shockwaves through political circles, with many observers noting that Oboth-Oboth had previously not featured prominently in conversations surrounding the Speaker race.

Until now, much of the speculation had centered on current Speaker Anita Among and DP president, Norbert Mao, with the former widely expected to retain her positions.

However, recent weeks have been dominated by intense behind-the-scenes lobbying and growing uncertainty within the ruling NRM party. Reports had earlier suggested that the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) had leaned toward supporting Among and Tayebwa before reportedly rescinding the position, reopening the contest.

Social media was already awash with speculation on Thursday night about high-level meetings within the corridors of power and possible dramatic changes in parliamentary leadership before Muhoozi’s post intensified the conversation.

Oboth-Oboth, the MP for West Budama South in Tororo District, is a seasoned legislator and lawyer currently serving in the Defence Ministry.

Political analysts are now watching closely to see whether the NRM’s top organs will formally rally behind Muhoozi’s preferred candidate or maintain support for the current parliamentary leadership.