The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus has endorsed Jacob Oboth Oboth as its candidate for Speaker of Parliament and Thomas Tayebwa as candidate for Deputy Speaker ahead of the first sitting of Uganda’s 12th Parliament scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026.

President Yoweri Museveni announced the development after meeting the first NRM Caucus of the 12th Parliament at State House Entebbe on Sunday evening.

In a statement shared after the meeting, Museveni welcomed the endorsement of Oboth Oboth, the Member of Parliament for West Budama Central, and Tayebwa, the MP for Ruhinda North in Mitooma District and outgoing Deputy Speaker.

“I congratulated them and reminded the Caucus that since the inception of the NRM, we have rejected bad politics,” Museveni said.

The President said leadership decisions should focus on solving citizens’ problems rather than identity politics based on religion, tribe or gender.

“Politics must reject identity, religion, tribalism and gender chauvinism, and instead focus on solving people’s problems,” Museveni said, adding that the government’s priority remains wealth creation and socio-economic transformation through agriculture, services, artisanship and ICT.

The endorsement came after all aspiring NRM candidates for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions reportedly stepped down in favour of Oboth Oboth and Tayebwa.

Local media reports indicated that the decision followed consultations within the party and support from the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Parliament of Uganda has already announced that the first sitting of the 12th Parliament will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 10am, during which Members of Parliament are expected to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The NRM holds a majority in Parliament, placing its endorsed candidates in a strong position ahead of the vote.

Tayebwa currently serves as Deputy Speaker, while Oboth Oboth has served as State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs and MP for West Budama Central.

The election of parliamentary leaders will officially mark the beginning of the 12th Parliament’s legislative business.