Former Speaker Anita Among has congratulated Jacob Oboth-Oboth and Thomas Tayebwa on their election as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament, calling their leadership key to advancing Uganda’s legislative agenda.
‘I join my colleagues in congratulating Mr Jacob Oboth-Oboth and Mr Thomas Tayebwa on their election as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament,’ Among posted on her X handle Tuesday evening.
‘I have no doubt that your leadership will bolster the legislative agenda and promote outcomes that serve our nation’s best interests. I sincerely wish you success in your service to our country.’
The message marks Among’s first public comment since stepping out of the race for Speaker. The Bukedea Woman MP had been expected to seek a second term but withdrew after an ongoing corruption probe into her tenure came under public scrutiny.
Oboth-Oboth, the MP for West Budama South and former Minister of State for Defence, was elected Speaker after securing majority support in the NRM caucus and Parliament with 441 votes. He brings 15 years of legislative experience to the role. Tayebwa, MP for Ruhinda North in Mitooma District, retained his position as Deputy Speaker after polling 457 votes in a Monday evening election.
Their election is seen as a shift in Parliament’s leadership structure ahead of a term expected to focus on service delivery, anti-corruption measures, and regional balance.
Analysts note that Among’s congratulatory message signals a smooth transition within the ruling NRM, despite the controversies surrounding her exit. During her tenure, Parliament passed several contentious bills and faced criticism over alleged misuse of funds and procedural disputes.
With the new leadership in place, attention now turns to whether Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa can restore public confidence in the institution while managing the demands of both the executive and backbench MPs.