President Yoweri Museveni has warned National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders and government officials against complacency in the newly opened 12th Parliament, saying there will be no room for leaders who fail to help Ugandans escape poverty.
Speaking on Monday after Parliament elected Jacob Oboth-Oboth as Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa as Deputy Speaker, Museveni said the new term would focus on accountability and service delivery.
“Regarding this Parliament, I have been patient before, but this term there will be no room for leaders who seek titles without helping the people they lead,” Museveni said.
He directed NRM leaders to return to the parishes and ensure government wealth creation programmes work for ordinary citizens.
“I do not want to hear excuses about poverty while solutions already exist. Ministers and government officials who fail in this responsibility will be held accountable. This is Kisanja no sleep. Enough is enough,” he added.
Museveni said he expects leaders to actively supervise government programmes aimed at lifting people out of poverty instead of concentrating on political positions.
The President also congratulated newly elected Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, while praising Members of Parliament for conducting peaceful and transparent elections.
“I congratulate the Rt. Hon. Speaker Jacob Oboth Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and thank the MPs for carrying out their mandate of voting, peacefully and transparently,” he said.
Museveni also pointed to divisions within Parliament, noting that the NRM candidates received more votes than the party’s official strength in the House. He referenced Democratic Party president Norbert Mao’s participation in the race and called for unity in the next Parliament.
“The NRM candidates obtained more votes than the NRM members in the House, and I note the votes our ally Mao took away. We shall address this because we want a united Parliament that serves our people better,” Museveni said.
The elections ushered in a new parliamentary leadership after months of political tension surrounding the outgoing 11th Parliament, which faced criticism over corruption allegations and accountability concerns.
Oboth-Oboth, who won the speakership race by a landslide, has already promised to restore Parliament’s integrity and lead a House free from corruption scandals that overshadowed the previous administration under former Speaker Anita Among.
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