The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has expressed immense confidence that the 12th Parliament has the potential to become the best legislative house in Uganda's history.
Rt. Hon. Tayebwa attributed this high performance potential to the impressive academic calibre, deep commitment, and professional readiness displayed by the newly elected legislators.
He made the remarks while closing a five-day induction seminar for the Members of the 12th Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the exceptional quality of debate, curiosity, and willingness to learn exhibited by the lawmakers signaled a historic tenure.
"I have been following the induction programme," Rt. Hon. Tayebwa stated. "I must tell you, I think you are going to make the best Parliament that we have ever had. You have the capacity. I have read through the CVs of the Members we have and compared them with those of past Parliaments. I have heard the questions that you have been asking and engaged with many of you. I see how you are ready to learn, to ask difficult questions, you are also ready to follow your clear mandate."
The Deputy Speaker challenged the MPs to distinguish themselves by ensuring that national budgets directly translate into better service delivery within their local constituencies.
He urged the legislators to strictly monitor public funds allocated for infrastructure, water, and wealth creation rather than leaving accountability entirely to technical officers.
Reflecting on financial scaling, Rt. Hon. Tayebwa shared that his home district of Mitooma previously received Shs 300 million for roads before the budget was tripled to Shs 1 billion under presidential directives.
He expressed concern that rural communities rarely feel the impact of such budget increments due to poor oversight.
"Let us use government programmes to deliver services," Rt. Hon. Tayebwa advised. "Go to the districts and ask where the money for roads is. Ask why boreholes are not repaired when every district receives money for water. If you use government programmes to deliver services, people will feel that you care for them.”
The Deputy Speaker also called for a bipartisan approach to state accountability, urging ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) lawmakers to actively grill corrupt officials.
He noted that while the Opposition chairs parliamentary oversight committees, the NRM maintains the numerical majority and must ask the hard questions.
Furthermore, Rt. Hon. Tayebwa directed the Prime Minister and the Government Chief Whip to ensure that cabinet ministers strictly involve area MPs whenever launching state projects in constituencies.
"There is no minister who should visit a constituency without informing the area MP," he warned. "There is no government programme that should be taken to the constituency without involving MPs because that money is appropriated by Parliament."
During a dedicated health and wellness session, the Clerk to Parliament, Hon. Adolf Mwesige, implored the new legislators to balance public duties with family life.
Drawing from his past experience as Minister of Local Government, Hon. Mwesige revealed that the severe pressures of public office once caused him to develop a brain tumor, from which he later recovered.
"When they say you can gain the whole world and lose your life, it means you can gain the title of Member of Parliament but at the end of 10 years you have no home and no family," Hon. Mwesige cautioned.
The State Minister for Health (Primary Health Care), Hon. Charles Ayume, facilitated the wellness session and acknowledged that public leadership demands highly grueling schedules.
"Ever since I became a State Minister, I mostly eat in the morning and the second meal is in the evening because you are moving from one meeting to another," Hon. Ayume shared.
Hon. Ayume informed the lawmakers that the government-funded specialized Heart Hospital in Naguru is on track for completion by June 2027.
The new medical facility is expected to drastically reduce the high volume of cardiovascular patient referrals to the Uganda Heart Institute at Mulago.
The comprehensive week-long induction retreat equipped the legislators with technical knowledge on national budgeting, legislative drafting, ethics, and parliamentary oversight.
Upon arrival for the closing ceremony, the Deputy Speaker was received by the Clerk to Parliament, Hon. Adolf Mwesige, and the Deputy Clerk (Parliamentary Affairs), Ms. Rose Ikiror.
