Speaker Oboth Declares War on Corruption

Newly elected Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth has declared an all-out push against corruption, warning that the 12th Parliament must clean up its own house or risk losing public trust.

In a firm and pointed maiden address delivered at Kololo Independence Grounds on Monday, Oboth-Oboth positioned integrity and accountability at the centre of his leadership, vowing zero tolerance to graft within the August House.

“ I pledge a corruption-free Parliament under my leadership. We must cultivate a culture of absolute integrity, anchored on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s clarion call for a corruption-free Parliament in the next five years,” he said.

In what appeared to be a direct acknowledgment of mounting public criticism, the Speaker cautioned legislators against double standards in demanding accountability from other government institutions.

“We cannot continue to condemn misuse of public resources elsewhere while failing to hold ourselves accountable. That approach will not work,” he said, drawing applause from sections of the House.

Oboth-Oboth used the address to lay out a reform-driven agenda built on seven key pillars, including evidence-based debate, disciplined budgeting, strengthened oversight, and a more open and transparent Parliament.

He took a swipe at what he described as unproductive parliamentary conduct, warning that the House must move away from theatrics and speculation.

“The floor of Parliament must not be reduced to a theatre for hearsay or grandstanding. Debate must be anchored on facts, data and research, and every decision must respond to the needs of the ordinary Ugandan,” he said.

On financial management, Oboth-Oboth signalled a shift in approach, pledging to dismantle what he termed as “financial engineering” practices and replace them with a results-driven budgeting framework focused on service delivery.

He also called for a more aggressive oversight role, urging parliamentary committees to detect and prevent misuse of public funds in real time rather than conducting what he described as “postmortem accountability.”

“Our committees must be empowered to monitor, intercept and protect resources before they are lost. Oversight should be proactive, not reactive,” he stressed.

In a notable departure from past tensions between Parliament and the press, the Speaker struck a conciliatory tone towards the media, describing journalists as key partners in promoting transparency.

“The media are not our enemies. They are the public’s eyes and ears. A transparent Parliament has nothing to hide,” he said.

Oboth-Oboth further sought to redefine the tone of leadership in the House, reminding legislators that the Speakership is a position of service, not privilege.

“The Speaker’s chair is not a throne. It is a responsibility entrusted to us to serve with humility, fairness and dignity,” he noted, pledging impartiality in presiding over parliamentary business.

His remarks come at a time when Parliament is under intense public scrutiny over allegations of corruption, questionable expenditure and concerns about accountability.

Recent controversies surrounding budget allocations, travel expenses and alleged irregular payments have sparked criticism from civil society groups and sections of the public, raising questions about transparency within the institution.

The situation has been further compounded by ongoing investigations into former Speaker Anita Among over alleged corruption and illicit enrichment during her tenure.

Observers say Oboth-Oboth’s strong anti-corruption message signals an attempt to reset the tone in Parliament and rebuild public confidence in one of the country’s most critical institutions.

Whether the bold rhetoric will translate into tangible reforms, however, remains the key test for the new Speaker as he begins his tenure at the helm of the House.

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