Speaker Oboth vows to expose those threatening committee chairs
“This is therefore to caution those who are sending covert or overt threats to the chairpersons during the course of their work to refrain. I am not a Speaker who will shield those attempting to evade accountability,” Oboth warned. The Speaker emphasised that such intimidation tactics must cease immediately.
Reaffirming his commitment to transparency, Oboth said he would not shield individuals attempting to evade accountability, signalling a firm stance against interference with Parliament's oversight functions. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
KAMPALA - Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth has warned that he will name and shame individuals who threaten committee chairpersons as they carry out their duties.
While chairing the plenary sitting on August 25, 2026, the Speaker said committee chairpersons have a constitutional mandate to process parliamentary business on behalf of the House and the public.
“This is therefore to caution those who are sending covert or overt threats to the chairpersons during the course of their work to refrain. I am not a Speaker who will shield those attempting to evade accountability,” Oboth warned.
The Speaker emphasised that such intimidation tactics must cease immediately.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during Plenary. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
Reaffirming his commitment to transparency, Oboth said he would not shield individuals attempting to evade accountability, signalling a firm stance against interference with Parliament's oversight functions.
The warning follows a caution issued by the Speaker during a plenary sitting on August 19, 2026, when he tasked accounting officers to honour summonses issued by parliamentary committees in a bid to strengthen parliamentary scrutiny.
The Speaker told accounting officers that it is their constitutional obligation to account to citizens through Parliament, where they are represented.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi during Plenary. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
“It has come to my attention that some accounting officers are not honouring invitations to appear before committees of Parliament,” Oboth said in his communication at the start of the House sitting on August 19.
“I would like to remind all accounting officers that it is their constitutional obligation to be accountable to the citizens of this country through Parliament, where they are represented. I therefore beseech them to appear whenever summoned,” he added.
Speaker Oboth said appearing before committees is not a courtesy but a core link in the chain of accountability to taxpayers.
He said some accounting officers were misusing his name, claiming that they had seen him. He cautioned people against invoking his name when asked to appear before committees.