West Budama Central MP and outgoing Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister, Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, has said he is unaware of any endorsement by Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba for him to contest the position of Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament, Oboth-Oboth dismissed the claims circulating online, saying he does not follow social media discussions and therefore could not confirm the alleged endorsement.
“I am not aware of any Speaker endorsement. I am not on social media, so I don’t know what has been said,” he said.
His comments follow a post attributed to Muhoozi on X (formerly Twitter), in which the CDF and head of the Patriotic League of Uganda reportedly praised Oboth-Oboth’s performance as Defence Minister and expressed support for him to become Speaker for the 2026–2031 parliamentary term.
The remarks have added fresh momentum to the increasingly competitive race to succeed the current leadership of Parliament, a contest already shaped by shifting political alliances and public endorsements.
The Speakership debate has in recent months largely centred on figures such as the outgoing Speaker Anita Among and Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, both of whom have been mentioned in political discussions as potential contenders or influencers in the next parliamentary leadership structure.
Earlier this year, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) had publicly backed Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for continued leadership roles.
However, that position was later reversed, with PLU Secretary General David Kabanda urging members to wait for formal direction from President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) before making political alignments.
Subsequent statements attributed to Muhoozi further intensified speculation, including suggestions that the next Speaker would likely be male—remarks widely interpreted in political circles as a signal affecting Anita Among’s re-election prospects.
The growing influence of online political commentary, particularly from high-ranking security and political figures, has increasingly shaped public debate around succession politics and parliamentary leadership contests.
The Speakership race is expected to attract several prominent names as the 12th Parliament takes shape. Among those mentioned in political speculation are Lydia Wanyoto, Persis Namuganza, and other senior political figures, alongside Oboth-Oboth himself.
While the Defence Minister has not formally declared interest in the race, his name has now been drawn into the contest following the reported endorsement, adding another layer of intrigue to what is shaping up to be a closely watched parliamentary transition.
In the previous Parliament, Oboth-Oboth was reportedly advised by the NRM not to pursue the Speakership, before later being appointed to head the Defence and Veteran Affairs docket. His latest remarks, however, suggest he is keeping distance from the ongoing political speculation—at least publicly.
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