I won’t shield culprits, Speaker Oboth warns as agencies

What the report says

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth has warned government agencies and public officials against ignoring summons from parliamentary committees, saying those who handle public resources must be prepared to account for them. According to Nile Post, his remarks were made in Kampala and were aimed at reinforcing the authority of Parliament’s oversight work.

Oboth said his office would not be used to pressure committee leaders or shield anyone from scrutiny. He stressed that parliamentary committees act on behalf of the House and should be allowed to carry out investigations and reviews without interference from outside actors seeking to block appearances or soften questioning.

The warning comes amid reported concerns that some agencies and officials have repeatedly failed to appear before committees when called to explain the use of public funds. Oboth directed all invited entities to comply with committee summons and said continued refusal would undermine Parliament’s constitutional role in holding public institutions to account.

Nile Post also reported that MPs welcomed the statement, describing it as a needed reminder to agencies that are seen as routinely avoiding oversight. The broader significance is that the Speaker’s position strengthens Parliament’s hand in demanding transparency and could lead to firmer enforcement if defiance continues.