Uganda Speaker Urges MPs to Put Public Trust Ahead of Political Score-Settling

KAMPALA, Uganda, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ — Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth has urged Members of Parliament serving on public accounts committees to approach their oversight responsibilities as a duty to protect citizens’ trust rather than as an avenue for political score-settling.

Oboth said parliamentary oversight should focus on ensuring that government resources are used for their approved purposes and that accountability processes contribute to better public service delivery.

“Your duty is not to hunt individuals nor to settle political scores. Your duty is to restore public confidence that government resources are used for the purposes approved by Parliament,” Oboth said.

The Speaker made the remarks while closing a two-day induction programme for public accounts committees at Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe on Friday, July 24, 2026.

He highlighted fairness, independence, professionalism and timeliness as essential principles that should guide the committees in carrying out their oversight functions.

According to Oboth, the effectiveness of public accounts committees should not be measured by the number of reports produced or witnesses summoned, but by whether their work results in improved public services and stronger accountability in the management of public resources.

He also warned that delays in resolving accountability issues weaken Parliament’s oversight mandate and urged committee members to ensure that their findings are firmly grounded in evidence and protected from political influence.

The Speaker further called on Parliament to maintain the same standards of integrity it demands from government officials, noting that unresolved audit queries can ultimately contribute to poor service delivery and undermine citizens’ confidence in public institutions.

“When the people of Uganda entrust us with the responsibility to oversee their resources, what exactly are they placing in our hands? … They are placing in our hands their trust,” Oboth said.

Public Accounts Committees play a central role in Parliament’s oversight responsibilities by examining government expenditure, audit reports and related accountability issues to ensure that public funds are managed appropriately and used for their intended purposes.

Oboth’s remarks underscore the need for parliamentary oversight to remain evidence-based, impartial and focused on protecting public resources while delivering tangible benefits to Ugandan citizens.