Democratic Party (DP) President General Norbert Mao secured 15 votes in the election for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Monday, as legislators chose the leadership that will steer the new House for the next five years.
Mao, a former presidential candidate and long-serving opposition figure, entered the race as one of three contenders seeking to succeed former Speaker Anita Among, who did not seek re-election after losing her Bukedea Woman MP seat during the 2026 general elections.
The contest was ultimately won by Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, who benefited from the ruling party’s numerical dominance in Parliament. National Unity Platform candidate Paul Mwiru was the other challenger in the race.
A total of 519 legislators cast their ballots, with no abstentions recorded. Three votes were declared spoiled during the counting process.
Mao’s 15-vote tally highlighted the uphill task faced by opposition candidates in a House where the NRM enjoys an overwhelming majority following the 2026 elections.
The Speakership election is one of the most significant votes at the beginning of every parliamentary term.
The Speaker presides over House proceedings, interprets parliamentary rules, assigns business to committees and plays a key role in shaping the legislative agenda.
Although Mao fell short in the contest, his participation underscored the Democratic Party’s continued efforts to maintain a voice in national politics amid an increasingly competitive opposition landscape.
The election also offered lawmakers an opportunity to signal political alignments ahead of debates expected to dominate the 12th Parliament, including governance reforms, public finance oversight and service delivery.
With the Speakership vote concluded, attention now shifts to the election of the Deputy Speaker and the formation of parliamentary committees, which will determine how effectively the new Parliament carries out its legislative and oversight functions over the coming term.
 President General Norbert Mao secured 15 votes in the election for Speaker of Uganda's 12th Parliament, held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds){kind=link}