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🇺🇬 Uganda /Elections & Politics

Speaker Oboth Vows Not to Shield Officials from Parliamentary Scrutiny

From AllAfrica Uganda · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth has warned that his office will not shield individuals from scrutiny by parliamentary committees.
  • His warning follows concerns over government agencies and public officials who have allegedly refused to appear before committees to account for public resources.
  • Oboth stated that entities summoned must appear, and Parliament will use its constitutional powers to compel witnesses who defy summons.

Kampala -- Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth issued a stern warning against attempts to influence parliamentary committees or shield individuals from accountability. He emphasized that his office will not be used to exert undue influence on committee leaders or protect those facing scrutiny.

My office shall not be used to exert undue influence on Committee Chairpersons to shield culprits from scrutiny. Committees work on behalf of this House. I will not entertain side engagements aimed at compromising their work.

— Jacob Oboth ObothSpeaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth's communication to Parliament regarding interference with committee work.

Oboth's directive comes amid growing concerns that some government agencies and public officials are refusing to appear before parliamentary committees. These committees are responsible for overseeing the use of public resources, and their work is being frustrated by non-compliance. The Speaker stressed that committees process business on behalf of the entire House and must be allowed to conduct their oversight functions without interference.

"My office shall not be used to exert undue influence on Committee Chairpersons to shield culprits from scrutiny. Committees work on behalf of this House. I will not entertain side engagements aimed at compromising their work," Oboth stated in a communication to Parliament. He directed all summoned entities to respect Parliament and appear as required, asserting that refusal undermines the institution's constitutional mandate.

If you receive public resources, you must account. No one is above accountability. I direct all those invited by Committees to appear without fail.

— Jacob Oboth ObothSpeaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth's directive to entities summoned by parliamentary committees.

Members of Parliament welcomed the Speaker's directive, noting that some officials and agencies have become habitual defaulters. "Some MDAs think they are untouchable. The Speaker's statement is timely and we must enforce it," one MP commented. Oboth affirmed that Parliament would invoke its constitutional powers and Rules of Procedure to compel witnesses who continue to defy summons, reinforcing the critical role of parliamentary committees in scrutinizing government expenditure and demanding accountability.

Some MDAs think they are untouchable. The Speaker's statement is timely and we must enforce it.

— MPA Member of Parliament's reaction to the Speaker's directive.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by AllAfrica Uganda in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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