Residents in Tororo District on Monday put business on hold as they gathered in hotels, restaurants and trading centres to follow live proceedings from Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where elections for the 12th Speaker of Parliament were taking place.
As early as 7am, excitement had already gripped the district, with hundreds flocking to public viewing centres to witness what many described as a historic moment for the Bukedi sub-region.
At Sunrise Hotel in Tororo Municipality, supporters dressed in yellow T-shirts packed the venue, their attention fixed on television screens airing live coverage on NBS Television.
The residents had gathered with one shared hope — to witness their son, Jacob Oboth-Oboth, the MP for West Budama Central, become the first Speaker of Parliament from the Bukedi sub-region.
Tension and excitement intensified as the vote-counting exercise commenced inside Parliament. Supporters at the hotel spontaneously joined the tallying process, loudly chanting Oboth’s name after every vote announced in his favour.
Moments later, jubilation erupted across the venue after the final declaration confirmed Oboth Oboth as the winner of the Speakership race with more than 400 votes.
In several parts of Tororo District, celebrations quickly spilled onto the streets as traditional dancers entertained crowds amid drumming, whistles and songs to mark the historic victory.
Many residents described Oboth’s rise to the country’s third-highest office as a reward for his long political experience, humility and leadership credentials.
“For the 15 years he has served in Parliament, Oboth has delivered not only for this district but for the country at large. I think that is why he earned President Museveni’s backing,” said Phoebe Awere Otaala, the former Ugandan Ambassador to Kenya.
The Tororo Resident District Commissioner, Sadiq Bategana, said residents have high expectations of the new Speaker.
“He is a down-to-earth person and we are hopeful that he will become President Museveni’s agent in the fight against corruption in Parliament,” Bategana said.
Despite the celebrations, residents say the victory now comes with enormous responsibility and expectation.
Many hope Oboth’s elevation to the Speakership will accelerate service delivery, improve infrastructure and increase government attention to Tororo and the wider Bukedi sub-region.
“We have suffered for years because of the poor state of the Nagongera-Busolwe road. Now that Oboth Oboth is a direct beneficiary of that road, we believe it will finally be worked on,” said James Onyango, a resident of Tororo.
For many in Tororo, the victory was not just a political milestone, but a moment of regional pride and renewed hope that one of their own occupying the country’s top legislative office could open a new chapter of development and national recognition for Bukedi.
