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Oboth Hails Muhoozi’s support in speakership election
Oboth described Gen Muhoozi as the architect of a successful campaign that secured him the country’s third-highest office.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba (right) and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth (2nd right). Oboth thanked Muhoozi for his “strategic support and endorsement”. (File photo)
By: Nelson Mandela Muhoozi, Journalist @New Vision
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Former Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Jacob Marksons Oboth has publicly credited the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for playing what he termed as "a pivotal role" in his election as Speaker of the 12th Parliament.
He described Gen Muhoozi as the architect of a successful campaign that secured him the country’s third-highest office.
Speaking during the handover of the Defence ministry to Kiryowa Kiwanuka, at UPDF headquarters offices in Mbuya, Kampala, Oboth on Wednesday, June 10, thanked Muhoozi for his “strategic support and endorsement” and pledged to remain a steadfast ally of the ministry and the UPDF from his new position as Speaker.
“I thank the Chief of Defence Forces for considering it worthwhile that an Oboth could become Speaker of the 12th Parliament. This was an operation sanctioned by the Commander-in-Chief and, in my view, successfully executed. I want to sincerely thank him on record for his strategic support and endorsement,” he said.
Oboth added, “His endorsement meant that I did not have to spend a single coin, which, in any case, I did not have. I may be the first Speaker who was literally dragged into the chair. You saw how the Prime Minister had to usher me there because I was hesitant even to go and take the oath.”
He promised that he would remain an ally of the ministry that made him what he is now.
“As I leave the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, I want to assure you that you have an ally in the Speaker’s office. I cannot forget where I have come from, and I commit that the strong relationship between Parliament, the Ministry of Defence and the UPDF will not end here,” he said.
Teamwork at the ministry
Oboth also paid glowing tribute to the UPDF leadership for the support they accorded him during his tenure. He said their teamwork was central to the ministry’s achievements over the past five years.
Oboth added, “His endorsement meant that I did not have to spend a single coin, which, in any case, I did not have. I may be the first Speaker who was literally dragged into the chair. You saw how the Prime Minister had to usher me there because I was hesitant even to go and take the oath.”
He promised that he would remain an ally of the ministry that made him what he is now.
“As I leave the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, I want to assure you that you have an ally in the Speaker’s office. I cannot forget where I have come from, and I commit that the strong relationship between Parliament, the Ministry of Defence and the UPDF will not end here,” he said.
Teamwork at the ministry
Oboth also paid glowing tribute to the UPDF leadership for the support they accorded him during his tenure. He said their teamwork was central to the ministry’s achievements over the past five years.
He described his time at the ministry as one of the most rewarding periods of his public service career.
“Serving as the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs has been both a privilege and a profound duty on my part. We had several successes and that was purely because we managed to work as a team,” he said.
The outgoing minister singled out Gen Muhoozi and the ministry’s technical leadership for praise, saying they provided the stability and professionalism that enabled the ministry to deliver on its mandate.
“I thank the Permanent Secretary and I thank the CDF. Those two people run this office. This is the only ministry where institutions work. Even if you are absent, things will move,” he said.
He credited the UPDF leadership for advancing national security, military modernisation, capacity building and regional security cooperation during his tenure.
The former minister also pointed to ongoing infrastructure improvements at the Ministry of Defence and UPDF headquarters, which he said reflected effective management of resources under the military leadership.
“One of the successes you can see, and I want to attribute largely to the patriotic leadership of the CDF, is the transformation taking place here,” Oboth said, referring to the ongoing redevelopment of the ministry headquarters.
He added; “When I came here, I did not even know the boundary of the ministry premises. Today there is a wall fence and major infrastructure works underway,” Oboth said.
He revealed that the military leadership had assured him that the new headquarters complex would be completed before the end of the year.
“The CDF and the team deserve another round of applause,” he told the gathering. Beyond official duties, Oboth spoke emotionally about the personal relationship he developed with military officers and civilian staff during his tenure, saying the ministry had become like a family to him.
“These people have been a blessing to me in many ways. Most of them know me so deeply that there is nothing left for me to hide,” he said. He recalled how Gen Kainerugaba and senior UPDF officers participated in his thanksgiving ceremony in Mukono last month, an event that left a lasting impression on residents in his home area.
“When the CDF guided and they took over my thanksgiving in my tiny rural compound, the people of Mukono are still saying they had never seen a function where generals and senior officers attended like that,” Oboth said.
Challenges despite progress
Despite the achievements, Oboth acknowledged that several challenges remain unresolved, particularly improving the welfare of serving soldiers and veterans.
“The issue of personnel welfare, we tried, but we never got where we intended to be,” he admitted. He urged his successor, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to prioritise improving military pay and addressing pension disparities affecting retired officers.
“There are still welfare demands for veterans and personnel that require attention,” Oboth said.
The handover marked the beginning of a new chapter for the ministry as Kiwanuka assumed office alongside State Minister for Veteran Affairs Dr Huda Oleru Abason, who was reappointed, and newly appointed State Minister for Defence Grace Akifeza Ngabirano.
In his remarks, Kiwanuka pledged to build on the ministry’s achievements while strengthening accountability, operational readiness and veterans’ welfare.
He also committed to working closely with the military leadership.
“I assure the Chief of Defence Forces of my respect for military command and my commitment to civilian oversight that supports and does not obstruct,” Kiwanuka said.
“Serving as the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs has been both a privilege and a profound duty on my part. We had several successes and that was purely because we managed to work as a team,” he said.
The outgoing minister singled out Gen Muhoozi and the ministry’s technical leadership for praise, saying they provided the stability and professionalism that enabled the ministry to deliver on its mandate.
“I thank the Permanent Secretary and I thank the CDF. Those two people run this office. This is the only ministry where institutions work. Even if you are absent, things will move,” he said.
He credited the UPDF leadership for advancing national security, military modernisation, capacity building and regional security cooperation during his tenure.
The former minister also pointed to ongoing infrastructure improvements at the Ministry of Defence and UPDF headquarters, which he said reflected effective management of resources under the military leadership.
“One of the successes you can see, and I want to attribute largely to the patriotic leadership of the CDF, is the transformation taking place here,” Oboth said, referring to the ongoing redevelopment of the ministry headquarters.
He added; “When I came here, I did not even know the boundary of the ministry premises. Today there is a wall fence and major infrastructure works underway,” Oboth said.
He revealed that the military leadership had assured him that the new headquarters complex would be completed before the end of the year.
“The CDF and the team deserve another round of applause,” he told the gathering. Beyond official duties, Oboth spoke emotionally about the personal relationship he developed with military officers and civilian staff during his tenure, saying the ministry had become like a family to him.
“These people have been a blessing to me in many ways. Most of them know me so deeply that there is nothing left for me to hide,” he said. He recalled how Gen Kainerugaba and senior UPDF officers participated in his thanksgiving ceremony in Mukono last month, an event that left a lasting impression on residents in his home area.
“When the CDF guided and they took over my thanksgiving in my tiny rural compound, the people of Mukono are still saying they had never seen a function where generals and senior officers attended like that,” Oboth said.
Challenges despite progress
Despite the achievements, Oboth acknowledged that several challenges remain unresolved, particularly improving the welfare of serving soldiers and veterans.
“The issue of personnel welfare, we tried, but we never got where we intended to be,” he admitted. He urged his successor, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to prioritise improving military pay and addressing pension disparities affecting retired officers.
“There are still welfare demands for veterans and personnel that require attention,” Oboth said.
The handover marked the beginning of a new chapter for the ministry as Kiwanuka assumed office alongside State Minister for Veteran Affairs Dr Huda Oleru Abason, who was reappointed, and newly appointed State Minister for Defence Grace Akifeza Ngabirano.
In his remarks, Kiwanuka pledged to build on the ministry’s achievements while strengthening accountability, operational readiness and veterans’ welfare.
He also committed to working closely with the military leadership.
“I assure the Chief of Defence Forces of my respect for military command and my commitment to civilian oversight that supports and does not obstruct,” Kiwanuka said.