Politics 27 July 2026 Howwe Entertainment
Parliamentary Oversight: Speaker Urges Focus on Accountability, Not Witch Hunts
Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth has cautioned Members of Parliament on Public Accounts Committees against using their oversight roles for political vendettas. He stressed that their primary duty is to ensure public resources are utilized as intended, thereby restoring public trust. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/43376/speaker-warns-against-using-oversight-committees-to-witch-hunt-individuals
Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth has issued a strong directive to Members of Parliament serving on public accounts committees, urging them to prioritize safeguarding public trust over personal or political agendas.
During the closing of a two-day induction for these committees in Entebbe on Friday, July 24, 2026, Oboth emphasized that the core mandate of oversight is not to target individuals or settle political scores. Instead, he stated, the goal is to rebuild public confidence by ensuring that government funds are allocated and spent according to parliamentary approval.
Oboth outlined key principles for effective oversight, including fairness, independence, professionalism, and timeliness. He posited that the true measure of success for these committees should be the tangible improvement in public service delivery, rather than the volume of reports generated or the number of individuals summoned for questioning.
The Speaker highlighted the detrimental impact of delayed accountability, noting that it weakens Parliament’s essential oversight function. He called for all findings and recommendations to be based on solid evidence, free from any political bias or interference.
Furthermore, Oboth reminded Parliamentarians to uphold the same standards of integrity they expect from public officials. He pointed out that unresolved audit queries frequently correlate with a decline in the quality of public services received by citizens. “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 remarked, underscoring the gravity of their role.
Public Accounts Committees play a crucial part in Parliament’s oversight mechanisms, scrutinizing government spending and audit reports to confirm that public funds are utilized appropriately. This reminder aims to keep their focus squarely on efficient resource management and accountability.