Thomas Tayebwa Re-elected Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament with Landslide Victory

Thomas Tayebwa Re-elected Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament with Landslide Victory

Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa has secured a decisive second term as Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament of Uganda after polling an overwhelming 457 votes in a secret ballot held on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Election Results

Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa (NRM, Ruhinda North County) — 457 votes

Hon. Nyakato Asinansi (PFF, Hoima City Woman MP) — 45 votes

Hon. Sarah Aguti (UPC, Dokolo District Woman MP) — 14 votes

Spoilt/Invalid votes — 3

Total ballot papers cast: 519

The election took place during the historic first sitting of the 12th Parliament at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, presided over by the newly elected Speaker, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth. President Yoweri Museveni witnessed the proceedings and later handed over the instruments of power to the new leadership.

Tayebwa’s Victory Speech and PledgesAfter being sworn in, Tayebwa expressed gratitude to President Museveni and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) for their support. He pledged to serve with fairness, humility, and unity, promising to strengthen Parliament and work closely with the new Speaker.

“I know all the corners of the House. I know where we need to clean up. I know where we need to maintain the status quo,”
 Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa

The Ruhinda North County MP also committed to rebuilding public trust in the legislature and prioritising effective service delivery to Ugandans.

Background and Significance

Tayebwa, a lawyer by profession, first entered Parliament in 2016 and was elected Deputy Speaker in March 2022 during the 11th Parliament. His re-election consolidates continuity in the leadership of the House and further strengthens the ruling National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) firm grip on parliamentary leadership.The NRM, which holds a commanding majority of seats in the 12th Parliament, had endorsed both Oboth-Oboth and Tayebwa prior to the elections.

What This Means for the 12th Parliament

Political analysts view the smooth and decisive leadership election as a strong signal of stability at the beginning of the new parliamentary term (2026–2031). With both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker coming from the ruling side, the executive is expected to enjoy relatively smooth legislative support, although opposition voices have already called for greater inclusivity and robust oversight.

The new leadership will be expected to steer critical national issues including economic recovery, infrastructure development, anti-corruption efforts, and legislative reforms over the next five years.Reactions

Congratulations have poured in from across the political divide, with many MPs and citizens hailing Tayebwa’s experience and familiarity with parliamentary procedures as key assets for the new term.