Jacob Oboth-Oboth is the new Speaker of Uganda’s 12th parliament after he was elected by the majority NRM MPs .
Under rule 14 (h), the Chief Justice Chief Justice Flavian Zeija who presided over the first sitting of the 12th Parliament at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, declared Jacob Oboh-Oboth, the new Speaker after polling 441 votes and was duly sworn by President Yoweri Museveni , in accordance with 82 of the national constitution.
Others who contested for the same position were Paul Mwiru who got 60 votes and Nobert Mao with 15 votes .
Thomas Tayebwa , was re-elected the Deputy Speaker with 457 votes , Nakato Asanansiyo 45 and, Sarah Aguti got 14
The new speaker Oboth-Oboth , promised a corruption free and people centered 12th parlimanet .
He urged his fellow MPs to serve the people of Uganda with integrity, accountability and transparency .
“I pledge a corruption-free Parliament under my leadership. We will cultivate a culture of absolute integrity and zero tolerance for corruption, anchored on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s clarion call for a corruption-free Parliament in the next five years,” Oboth-Oboth said.
“We cannot condemn misuse of government resources in other agencies while failing to uphold accountability within Parliament itself. That will not work,” he added.
Oboth-Oboth outlined seven key guiding principles of his leadership that will including promoting research-based debate, strengthening result-oriented budgeting, enhancing oversight, and fostering open engagement with the media.
“Our committees should be adequately facilitated to monitor, intercept and protect public resources in real time to ensure every effort contributes to national growth,” he said.
He further appealed to Members of Parliament to work collectively in the interest of the country, promising fairness, humility and impartiality in presiding over the House.
“The Speaker’s chair is not a throne; it is a position of service. Let us serve the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda with humility, modesty and dignity,” Oboth-Oboth noted.
