KAMPALA, Uganda
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth has announced what he described as a reset of Parliament, saying the institution is being returned to its original role of oversight and accountability.
Speaker says Parliament would no longer function as what he termed a donation centre, and warned lawmakers against seeking financial favours from government agencies they are mandated to supervise.
Oboth-Oboth said the changes are aimed at restoring integrity within the legislative arm of government and strengthening its independence.
“We are resetting Parliament back to the factory default,” he said, adding that his office would no longer entertain requests for financial assistance.
He further noted that individuals seeking financial support should instead formally approach the President, whom he referred to as the chief donor of government.
The Speaker warned that MPs risk compromising their oversight role if they receive money or favours from ministries, departments, and agencies that appear before Parliament.
“There is nothing demeaning as asking for kitu kidogo from those who are supposed to supervise,” he said.
He emphasized that such practices undermine accountability and weaken Parliament’s ability to independently scrutinize government operations.
According to the Speaker, committee funding within Parliament will be strengthened to reduce reliance on external support from government entities.
The move, he said, is intended to ensure that parliamentary committees operate effectively without financial dependence on the institutions they are meant to oversee.
The remarks come amid long-standing concerns about conflicts of interest and financial influence within parliamentary oversight processes.
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