The NRM parliamentary caucus today unanimously endorsed Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth, the MP for West Budama Central, and Thomas Tayebwa, the MP for Ruhinda North, as its flagbearers for speaker and deputy speaker of the 12th Parliament respectively.
The decision was taken during a caucus meeting after the two names had earlier been approved by the party’s Central Executive Committee, chaired by President Museveni.
Oboth Oboth and Tayebwa will now face off with candidates from other political parties during the first sitting of the 12th Parliament scheduled for tomorrow (May 25) at the Kololo Independence Grounds.
Their endorsement came as little surprise within political circles.
For weeks, senior party officials and legislators had privately indicated that the two were the preferred choices of the ruling party leadership, making their eventual selection one of the worst-kept political secrets ahead of the new Parliament.
Oboth Oboth, who has served as minister for Defence, emerged as the party’s choice to replace outgoing Speaker Anita Among, who is facing an investigation over corruption allegations.
Tayebwa, who has been serving as Deputy Speaker in the 11th Parliament, was retained for the same position.
It will be the second time, after the country adopted a new constitution in 1995, that the top two positions in Parliament are held by males.
Francis Ayume and Edward Ssekandi served as speaker and deputy speaker, respectively, from 1998 until 2001 after the then speaker, James Wapakhabulo, and his deputy Betty Okwir were abruptly removed from their positions, mid-way into their term.
Since then, there has been a pairing of a male and female legislator for either of the two positions.
