Kampala, Uganda: Newly elected Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth has pledged to lead a corruption-free, transparent and accountable Parliament, promising sweeping reforms aimed at restoring public trust in Uganda’s legislative arm.
Delivering his maiden speech shortly after taking oath as Speaker of the 12th Parliament on Tuesday, Oboth struck a deeply emotional and reform-centered tone, invoking biblical scripture, humility and accountability as pillars that would define his leadership.
“We are aware of the challenges that may be before us. I pledge a corruption-free Parliament. Under my leadership, we will cultivate a culture of integrity and accountability. Accountability begins with us,” Oboth declared.
The Speaker said Parliament must first reform itself before demanding accountability from the Executive and other government institutions.
“In the next five years, we shall hold the Executive and other government bodies accountable, but we must first begin with ourselves. Parliament must lead by example,” he said.
“I Stand Here by Divine Grace”
Oboth, who secured a landslide 441 votes to defeat Paul Mwiru and Norbert Mao in the Speaker race, described his elevation to the country’s third highest office as a journey shaped by “faithful and strategic patience.”
Quoting Isaiah 60:22 and Habakkuk 2:3, the Speaker said his rise from a rural village in Tororo District to the Speaker’s chair was proof of divine timing and God’s grace.
“From a rural village in Muwafu, Tororo District, I struggled to attain better education, and today I stand before you as Speaker of the 12th Parliament. It can only be by divine grace,” he said.
Oboth also thanked President Museveni and the NRM leadership for trusting him with leadership responsibilities since 2011.
He further acknowledged the role played by the NRM Parliamentary Caucus and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) pressure group in his political journey.
“God has spoken to Uganda through you all, through the NRM party, through the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, and through this Parliament and the PLU pressure group,” he stated.
Media “Not the Enemy”
In one of the key highlights of his speech, Oboth pledged to promote openness and transparency in Parliament, saying the media should not be viewed as enemies of legislators.
“We must recognise that the media is not our enemy, but the public’s eye. A transparent and open Parliament strengthens trust between the House and the people,” he said.
The Speaker also criticised reactive oversight mechanisms in Parliament, saying committees should move from “post-mortem oversight” to proactive monitoring capable of preventing loss of public funds before scandals emerge.
“Oversight should not be a post-mortem. We must not wait for public funds to be lost,” Oboth warned.
He pledged that budgeting and appropriation processes under his leadership would focus on measurable service delivery rather than “financial engineering and distortion.”
“Every Bill, motion and decision must directly respond to the needs of the ordinary citizen,” he added.
Promise to Remain Humble
Oboth concluded his address by assuring Ugandans that assuming the powerful office of Speaker would not change his character or humility.
“My final promise to all Ugandans is that, as I assume this high office of Speaker, I remain the same person and I will not change in character or commitment,” he said.
His speech immediately drew attention across political and media circles, with analysts describing it as an attempt to distance the incoming Parliament from corruption controversies and public mistrust that overshadowed sections of the outgoing House.
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