Uganda military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba (center),Uganda National Assembly Speaker Anita Among’ and the Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly Dr Moses Wetang’ula at a past function…..Photo/File
KAMPALA, Uganda
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defence forces and leader of the Patriotic League of Uganda has announced his backing for Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth for the 2026–2031 legislative term.
The public endorsement by the military chief has upended the race for the speaker of Uganda’s next parliament, forcing a dramatic power shift within the ruling establishment.
Kainerugaba called Oboth-Oboth the best-performing minister of the past five years.
The move follows the recent inauguration of President Yoweri Museveni and comes ahead of a parliamentary vote scheduled for May 25.
The intervention has effectively sidelined incumbent Speaker Anita Among.
Once considered the frontrunner, Among has faced intense political fallout and demands to exit the race following heightened scrutiny over corruption allegations.
The Patriotic League of Uganda formally withdrew its support for Among earlier this week.
Reports indicate her residence was searched as part of an escalating state investigation.
President Museveni reportedly consolidated the endorsement of Oboth-Oboth during recent high-level meetings, securing the ruling National Resistance Movement’s support for the defence minister.
Political analysts say the direct involvement of the military top brass reflects a tightening executive grip over the legislative branch.
Gen. Kainerugaba also sparked debate on social media by stating that the decision was made for a male speaker, declaring that “men were born to lead”.
The statement signals an end to a decade of female parliamentary leadership under Among and her predecessor.
Ruling party lawmakers gathered at Oboth-Oboth’s residence over the weekend to cement his status as the establishment’s chosen successor.
In response to the developments, representatives from Among’s camp issued a statement emphasizing her constitutional right to seek re-election, describing the intense state pressure as a targeted political campaign.
Despite the pushback, the National Resistance Movement caucus released its strict voting guidelines for the upcoming May 25 ballot.
The party leadership mandated that all caucus members must align with the executive’s consensus candidate to maintain party discipline.
This directive virtually guarantees Oboth-Oboth’s victory and cements the executive’s total control over the 12th Parliament.
