Newly elected Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oboth Oboth, has pledged to lead what he termed a corruption-free legislature, setting a firm tone for the 12th Parliament during his maiden address on Monday.
Oboth, who was elected earlier in the day, said his leadership would focus on restoring integrity and accountability in the House, insisting that the Speaker’s office must be viewed as a service role rather than a seat of power.
His remarks come at a time when Parliament faces sustained public scrutiny over governance, accountability, and use of public resources.
Addressing legislators shortly after taking oath, Oboth emphasized that his agenda would be anchored on transparency and discipline within the institution.
He said Parliament must reflect the expectations of Ugandans who entrust their leaders with public office.
“The Speaker's Chair is not a throne; it is a servant's post,” Oboth said. “My role now is to ensure that working together, the voices of over 48 million Ugandans who send us here are heard, protected and respected.”
He further committed to a strict anti-corruption stance within Parliament, aligning his message with broader government calls for integrity in public service.
He noted that leadership must begin internally before extending oversight to other arms of government.
“We are aware of what has been going through, I pledge a corruption-free Parliament,” he said.
“Under my leadership, we will cultivate a culture of absolute integrity and zero tolerance to corruption, anchored in President Museveni’s call for a corruption-free Parliament in the next five years.”
His reference pointed to President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing emphasis on institutional reforms and accountability across government structures.
Oboth also stressed that Parliament must lead by example if it is to effectively oversee the Executive and other public institutions.
He warned that double standards in accountability would undermine public trust and weaken governance systems.
“Accountability begins with us. In the next five years, we will hold the executive and other government bodies accountable, but we must start with ourselves,” he said.
“We cannot hide from accountability of government resources, yet we expect it from other agencies and departments. That will not work.”
The new Speaker’s remarks set an early benchmark for his tenure, with expectations now turning to how he will enforce internal discipline and manage relations between Parliament and the Executive.
His leadership begins at a time when the institution is under pressure to rebuild public confidence and strengthen oversight mechanisms.
Oboth’s election and first address signal a renewed focus on institutional integrity as the 12th Parliament begins its legislative term.