Speaker Oboth vows to purge corruption from Parliament
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth says he is "now pregnant with some changes".
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth addressing Christians at St Mark Church of Uganda in West Budama Central, Tororo district. (Credit: Parliament of Uganda)
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LEGISLATURE
The Speaker of Uganda's 12th Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has issued a stern warning to corrupt officials, declaring a total war on the "buying of jobs" and administrative rot within the legislative body and the general public service.
Addressing Christians at St Mark Church of Uganda, Muwafu village, West Budama Central in Tororo district, Oboth dismissed the prevailing rumours of witchcraft within the halls of Parliament as nonsense.
He asserted that his leadership is guided by a higher power that will not allow him to fail in his mission to transform the institution.
“I am now pregnant with some changes,” the Speaker declared, emphasizing his desire for the Parliament of Uganda to have a lasting impact on the nation’s history.
He warned those attempting to use dark arts to frustrate his agenda that they have "failed miserably" and that he believes God takes vengeance on his side.
A central pillar of the Speaker’s "cleaning" exercise is the elimination of bribery in the recruitment process. He explicitly noted that he is working to fix issues where individuals "buy" jobs, a practice he intends to halt so that talk of corruption on the streets becomes a thing of the past.
"We want a clean battleground," West Budama Central MP Oboth stated, noting that the fight against corruption must start within the districts to be effective at the national level.
Beyond administrative reforms, he linked the fight against corruption directly to improved service delivery for Ugandans. He expressed a deep impatience with the status quo, questioning the purpose of his tenure if it does not result in visible changes such as better roads and hospitals.
“Why would I be a Speaker and have the same things the same way? There must be a change,” said Oboth, urging leaders to be transparent, fair, and effective in mobilizing their communities.
Closing his address, the Speaker reminded leaders that the season for political campaigning is over and the era of hard work has begun. He called for a collective commitment to transforming Uganda into a prosperous region where every household has the opportunity to earn a decent income and live with dignity.
In a powerful call to action, Bishop Samuel George Bogere Egesa (pictured below) of Bukedi Diocese, who was the main celebrant, urged leaders across all spectrums of society to avoid arrogance and instead embrace the transformative power of servant leadership.
The prelate challenged those in positions of power, including political, cultural, and religious leaders to look at their roles as opportunities for sacrifice rather than avenues for wealth accumulation or dominance.
The service was attended by dignitaries and hundreds of faithful, and concluded with dedicated prayers led by the bishop for national unity, integrity in public office, and the spiritual renewal of the of the community.
