President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to exercise discipline and restraint in the race for parliamentary leadership, cautioning against excessive competition for positions as the ruling party moved to determine its preferred candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
Speaking during the first NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting at State House Entebbe on Sunday, President Museveni said although democracy allows members to express interest in leadership positions, party members should be guided by discipline, experience, and the collective interests of the party.
“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 further urged leaders to grow through responsibility progressively, advising them to begin with smaller roles before assuming bigger offices.
“First, you need to be disciplined, start small, and avoid debts,” he added.
During the meeting, the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) presented its recommendations for the leadership of the 12th Parliament to the party parliamentary caucus.
CEC recommended Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth as the party’s candidate for Speaker of Parliament, citing his legal expertise, leadership qualities, and ability to serve as a unifying figure capable of effectively steering Parliament. The NRM Caucus later discussed and adopted the recommendation.
For Deputy Speaker, CEC endorsed Thomas Tayebwa, citing his parliamentary experience, institutional continuity, mobilization skills, and youthful leadership.
According to the recommendations, Rt. Hon. Tayebwa’s previous roles as Government Chief Whip and Deputy Speaker have equipped him with extensive experience in parliamentary procedures and management of legislative affairs.
CEC also highlighted his ability to mobilize party structures and communities, noting that these qualities would be instrumental in building consensus and strengthening parliamentary cooperation. His youthfulness and exposure were also cited as strengths expected to bring energy, dynamism, and a fresh perspective to parliamentary leadership.
The NRM Caucus subsequently adopted the recommendations presented by CEC.
Earlier, President Museveni congratulated newly elected Members of Parliament and thanked them for supporting him, reminding them that they now have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“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 also cautioned leaders against repeating mistakes made by previous generations, saying earlier politics based on religion and tribalism had undermined national progress — practices the NRM rejected from its inception.
He emphasized that politics should instead focus on ideology and solving citizens’ problems.
“Politics should be about what is to be done, why it should be done, and how it should be done. You start with diagnosing the problems of the people you are leading and then prescribe the treatment,” he noted.
President Museveni further reminded legislators that their primary responsibility is serving their constituencies and improving household incomes rather than focusing on privileges.
In the spirit of party unity, all other candidates who had expressed interest in contesting for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker stepped down in favor of Hon. Oboth and Rt. Hon. Tayebwa.
