KAMPALA.Chief Justice Flavian Zeija on Monday declared West Budama Central MP Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth the Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament .
This came after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate secured a landslide victory with 441 votes in a secret ballot held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the watch of President Museveni.
“I therefore declare Hon Oboth, who has obtained the highest number of votes cast, as the Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Zeija announced after conclusion of the tally.
Oboth-Oboth, a former defence minister and the NRM flag bearer, comfortably defeated National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Paul Mwiru, who garnered 60 votes, while Democratic Party president general Norbert Mao secured 15 votes.
According to the final tally, 519 ballot papers were counted, with three spoilt ballots recorded and no abstentions.
The vote was conducted by secret ballot during the first sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the new Parliament, marking the formal opening of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
“Honourable members, I thank you most sincerely for entrusting me today with the highest office of being your Speaker; which responsibility I receive with utmost humility and modesty,” the new speaker said in his maiden address to the nation.
Oboth-Oboth had entered the race as overwhelming favourite after securing endorsement from the NRM caucus during a State House Entebbe meeting chaired by Museveni on Sunday evening, where rival aspirants reportedly stepped down in his favour.
He was formally nominated by Vice President and Katakwi Woman MP Jessica Alupo before legislators proceeded to cast their ballots.
Museveni closely followed proceedings at Kololo as lawmakers voted in the highly anticipated contest.
The outcome had largely been expected given the NRM’s commanding majority in Parliament, where the ruling party controls more than 350 legislators, numbers that have historically enabled it to dominate elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Mwiru’s 60 votes, however, reflected the opposition’s consolidated backing behind the NUP legislator in the race against the ruling party machine.
The contest, however, unfolded under the shadow of turbulent days in Uganda’s Parliament following a high-profile corruption probe involving Oboth-Oboth’s predecessor, former Speaker Anita Among, who was conspicuously absent from Monday’s sitting despite being eligible to vote as a legislator.
Moments after the declaration, Oboth-Oboth was ceremonially dragged by fellow legislators in line with parliamentary tradition before being presented to Museveni for the administration of the oath of office in accordance with Ugandan law.
Museveni later handed Oboth-Oboth the instruments of power associated with the Office of the Speaker, including the mace, which is the traditional symbol of authority over the legislature.
The newly elected Speaker was also presented with the Ugandan flag, the Coat of Arms and the Constitution before receiving the House Rules of Procedure and the Speaker’s robes, formally placing him in full charge of the 12th Parliament.
“We are aware of what we’ve been going through. I pledge a corruption-free Parliament. Under my leadership, we shall cultivate a culture of absolute integrity and zero tolerance to corruption anchored in Museveni’s clarion call for a corruption-free Parliament in the next five years,” Oboth-Oboth said.
“Accountability begins with us. In the next five years, we will hold the Executive and other government bodies accountable. We cannot hide from accountability of government resources yet we expect it from other agencies and departments. That will not work,” he added.