Budama West MP Jacob Oboth Oboth, has been elected the Speaker of the 12th Parliament, after securing the majority of votes from 519 out of 528 Members of Parliament that cast their ballots in the election.
The Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, who was the presiding officer, declared Oboth after he emerged as the winner in the three man race with 441 votes, following the conclusion of the tallying exercise by Parliament officials.
Oboth was followed by National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Paul Mwiru (NUP) in second place with 60 votes, while Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao (DP) finished third with 15 votes.
The election for the Speaker and deputy speaker, has taken place today at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, under the watchful eye of President Yoweri Museveni, in the first sitting of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
Oboth-Oboth was nominated by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who told the House that his extensive experience in Parliament, government and public service had equipped him to lead the institution effectively.
Alupo further noted that his endorsement by the ruling NRM and President Yoweri Museveni as a sign of confidence in his leadership credentials.
Voting for the Deputy Speaker is underway and being conducted by secret ballot, with MPs required to write the name of their preferred candidate on blank ballot papers before depositing them into the ballot box.
