President Museveni Urges Discipline as NRM Caucus Endorses Oboth Oboth and Tayebwa for 12th Parliament Leadership

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for discipline, patience and ideological politics within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), as the party’s Parliamentary Caucus officially adopted recommendations by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) endorsing Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth for Speaker of the 12th Parliament and Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker.

Speaking during the first NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting held at State House Entebbe on Saturday, President Museveni emphasized that while democracy gives members the freedom to express interest in leadership positions, party members must remain guided by discipline, experience and the collective interests of the movement.

When we were fighting, people did not express interest by saying they wanted to fight. You went where you were told to go. Today, because there is peace, many people are expressing interest in contesting for positions. Democracy is good, but we should be disciplined,” President Museveni said.

The President urged leaders to build themselves gradually by taking on responsibilities step by step instead of rushing into high offices without adequate preparation.

“First, you need to be disciplined, start small and avoid debts,” he added.

CEC Endorses Oboth Oboth for Speaker

During the meeting, the NRM Central Executive Committee presented its recommendations to the Parliamentary Caucus regarding the leadership of the incoming 12th Parliament.

CEC recommended Hon. Oboth Oboth as the party’s official candidate for Speaker of Parliament, citing his legal background, leadership capabilities and ability to unite members across different interests in Parliament.

According to the recommendations presented before the caucus, Oboth Oboth possesses the institutional understanding and temperament required to effectively guide parliamentary business while maintaining cohesion within the House.

Following deliberations, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus resolved to adopt the recommendation and rally behind him as the party’s flag bearer for the Speakership race.

Tayebwa Backed for Deputy Speaker

CEC also endorsed Rt. Hon. Tayebwa for the position of Deputy Speaker, highlighting his parliamentary experience, continuity in leadership, mobilization skills and youthful leadership style.

The committee noted that Tayebwa’s previous roles as Government Chief Whip and later Deputy Speaker had given him substantial experience in parliamentary procedures, coordination of legislative business and management of parliamentary affairs.

CEC further praised his ability to organize and mobilize both party structures and communities, saying these skills would be instrumental in strengthening consensus-building and cooperation within Parliament.

His youthfulness and exposure were also described as qualities expected to inject energy, dynamism and a fresh perspective into parliamentary leadership.

The caucus subsequently adopted the recommendation, effectively positioning Tayebwa as the NRM’s official candidate for Deputy Speaker in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

 Earlier in his address, President Museveni congratulated all newly elected Members of Parliament and thanked them for supporting his leadership, saying they now had an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s transformation.

“I want to congratulate all of you for being elected to Parliament. Secondly, I want to thank you for supporting me. You now have a chance to contribute to your country,” he said.

The President cautioned legislators against reviving the mistakes of previous political generations that promoted sectarian politics based on religion and tribe.

According to Museveni, the NRM rejected such politics from the beginning and instead built its ideology around national unity and problem-solving.

“Politics should be about what is to be done, why it should be done and how it should be done. You start with diagnosis of the problems of the people you are leading and then prescribe the treatment,” he noted.

He further reminded Members of Parliament that leadership should focus on serving wananchi, improving household incomes and addressing socio-economic challenges affecting communities rather than prioritizing privileges associated with office.

Rivals Step Down in Party Spirit

In a move aimed at promoting unity within the ruling party, all other candidates who had earlier expressed interest in contesting for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker stepped down in favor of Oboth Oboth and Tayebwa respectively.

The development underscored the NRM’s emphasis on consensus-building and party cohesion ahead of the formal election of parliamentary leaders for the 12th Parliament.

The adoption of the CEC recommendations by the caucus now places Oboth Oboth and Tayebwa in strong positions as the ruling party prepares to consolidate its leadership in Parliament.