Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the CDF’s endorsement of Jacob Oboth-Oboth for Speaker of Parliament, is a move that has dramatically intensified the battle for control of Uganda’s 12th Parliament and exposed widening divisions within the ruling establishment.
Muhoozi’s endorsement for the minister of Defence signals a major political shift inside the Patriotic League of Uganda, which had initially backed Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa following their endorsement by the National Resistance Movement Central Executive Committee.
In a series of posts shared on X on Friday morning, Muhoozi described Oboth-Oboth as the best-performing minister in government over the last five years and formally declared support for his bid for the Speakership between 2026 and 2031.
“He has been the best Minister in our government for the past 5 years. I want to be the first to endorse him for Speaker of Parliament (2026-2031). God bless Hon. Oboth-Oboth!” Muhoozi posted alongside a photograph of the Defence minister.
The endorsement marks a complete reversal from PLU’s earlier position.
On March 11, PLU Secretary General Daudi Kabanda had officially instructed legislators associated with the movement to support Among and Tayebwa in the parliamentary leadership race.
However, earlier this week, the movement withdrew that backing, saying the decision had been made following guidance from Muhoozi. PLU then directed its MPs-elect to support candidates eventually approved by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Political observers say Muhoozi’s decision to rally behind Oboth-Oboth is rooted in several factors, including loyalty, trust and the Defence minister’s close links to Uganda’s security establishment.
Oboth-Oboth is widely viewed as one of government’s most dependable insiders. As Defence minister, he has overseen Uganda’s military operations and regional security engagements while maintaining close ties with State House and security agencies.
Muhoozi reinforced his support through a barrage of social media posts that many interpreted as direct attacks on the current parliamentary leadership.
“There is no Speakership battle. Our God Jesus Christ won that battle a long time ago. We already have our new Speaker. Supported by UPDF!” Muhoozi wrote.
The army chief also appeared to frame the race as a political struggle against corruption and extravagant spending within Parliament.
“I risked my life for Uganda and I will never allow thieves to take it,” he posted.
The comments came amid growing controversy over reports that Among had acquired a Rolls Royce reportedly worth about Shs3.4 billion.
Images of the luxury vehicle spread widely online this week and sparked debate over public spending at a time many Ugandans are grappling with economic hardship and rising living costs.
Among reportedly said the vehicle was a gift.
Muhoozi appeared to reference the controversy directly in one of his most widely shared posts.
“I have been Mzee’s son for 52 years but I have never sat in a Rolls Royce ever. I don’t think Mzee has sat in one either,” he wrote.
He later called for reductions in parliamentary funding, arguing that resources should instead support ordinary Ugandans living without access to essential services.
“PLU believes in the reduction of ANY monies sent to Parliament. We believe in redirecting that money to the millions of Ugandans living in shacks, with no water or power,” Muhoozi posted.
Analysts say the comments suggest Muhoozi is attempting to position PLU as a movement focused on discipline, accountability and populist politics ahead of future political transitions.
The army chief also appeared to signal that Among’s return as Speaker was unlikely by suggesting the next Speaker would be male.
“We have already made our decision on the new Speaker (a man). Men were born to lead. That’s the natural order of things,” Muhoozi wrote.
At the same time, he sought to reassure Tayebwa, who had initially been endorsed alongside Among but now appears politically separated from her in the unfolding struggle.
“Hon. Tayebwa is a very good man. He is my younger brother. He has no problems. He is protected!” Muhoozi stated.
The distinction has fuelled speculation that Tayebwa could remain Deputy Speaker under a new arrangement or emerge later as a compromise figure acceptable to both political and security power centres.
Speaking shortly after her swearing-in earlier this week, Among defended the outgoing Parliament and described it as one of the most remarkable in Uganda’s history.
“This Parliament has been a very good Parliament. We have done a lot, a lot of work. And I can tell you, it is one of the most remarkable Parliaments that we have had in the history of Parliaments,” she said.
Muhoozi’s intervention has now transformed the Speakership race into one of the most dramatic internal political contests in recent Ugandan history, with PLU increasingly asserting influence over civilian political processes.
Parliament is expected to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament on May 25, 2026, after the completion of the ongoing swearing-in exercise.
