Muhoozi Kainerugaba has publicly endorsed Jacob Oboth Oboth for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, dramatically escalating the contest for the leadership of Parliament of Uganda and exposing deepening tensions within the ruling political establishment.
In a series of posts published Friday morning on X, Muhoozi described Oboth-Oboth as the best-performing minister in government over the past five years and formally declared support for his bid to lead 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!” Muhoozi posted alongside a photograph of the minister.
The endorsement signals a major political shift involving the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the pressure group associated with Muhoozi, and appears to confirm a widening fallout with incumbent Speaker Anita Annet Among.
The development comes just weeks after PLU Secretary General Daudi Kabanda had instructed PLU-aligned Members of Parliament-elect to support Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa following their endorsement by the National Resistance Movement Central Executive Committee (CEC).
However, PLU earlier this week abruptly withdrew that endorsement in a signed statement, saying support for Among and Tayebwa had been “retracted and withdrawn with immediate effect” based on guidance from Muhoozi.
The movement subsequently directed its MPs to back candidates who would eventually be presented by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Muhoozi’s latest endorsement now places Oboth-Oboth at the center of an increasingly high-stakes battle for control of Parliament ahead of the May 25 election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Political analysts say the move could significantly reshape alliances within the ruling party, especially given Muhoozi’s growing influence among sections of the NRM grassroots, security establishment, and PLU supporters.
The unfolding contest also highlights emerging power struggles within Uganda’s political elite as the country enters the 12th Parliament, with control of the Speaker’s office expected to play a critical role in shaping legislative priorities, political succession dynamics, and relations between Parliament and the Executive over the next five years.
