Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 881
- 493
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba(CDF)
In a dramatic turn that has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s political establishment, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has emerged as the central figure dictating the race for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
As Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the influential political movement he leads, Gen. Muhoozi has demonstrated unprecedented sway over a significant bloc of MPs-elect, effectively positioning himself as a kingmaker ahead of the leadership elections scheduled for later this month.
The latest development came on Friday, May 15, 2026, when Gen. Muhoozi publicly endorsed Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth for the position of Speaker. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) accompanied by a photo of the minister, the CDF declared: “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”
Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth.
Days earlier, on May 12, 2026, Gen. Muhoozi and the PLU had triggered a political earthquake by withdrawing their earlier support for incumbent Speaker Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among and her deputy, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. A formal statement issued by PLU Secretary General David Kabanda retracted the March 11, 2026, endorsement letter that had directed all PLU and PLU-leaning MPs to back the pair for re-election. The reversal was attributed directly to “guidance” from Gen. Muhoozi himself.
In the same breath, Gen. Muhoozi made clear where ultimate authority lies, instructing PLU MPs to align strictly with President Yoweri Museveni’s choice. “In the battle for Speaker of Parliament, all PLU MPs and PLU leaning MPs will vote for whoever the President and Commander-in-Chief endorses.
This sequence of events highlights Gen. Muhoozi’s commanding influence. The PLU, which played a key role in mobilising support during the 2026 general elections, controls a substantial number of MPs and has become a force within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ecosystem. By directing this bloc, the CDF is not merely advising; he is actively determining the viable candidates in what was once seen as an internal parliamentary affair.
Political observers note that Gen. Muhoozi’s actions reflect deeper power dynamics in Uganda’s governance. As both CDF and a prominent political actor, he bridges military and civilian spheres, and his PLU platform has given him direct leverage over elected officials.
With MPs being sworn in this week and the Speaker election coming around the corner, the next few days will test whether Gen. Muhoozi’s endorsement of Oboth-Oboth praised as the government’s top performer will translate into victory, or if President Museveni will chart a different course.
What is undeniable is that in the contest for Uganda’s next Speaker, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has shown he holds the power to make or break candidacies. The 12th Parliament’s leadership may ultimately bear his imprint as much as anyone else’s, a reality that will shape legislative priorities for the next five years.
