Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP)

12th Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda 🇺🇬 | MP West Budama Central, Christian, Husband, Father, Advocate & Proud Child of Tororo District.

[Parliament Watch @pwatchug]

🇺🇬 Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, has told Parliament that he and the Speaker are receiving calls over the ongoing validation and verification of Parliament staff, including calls from some MPs.

“If at verification they are asking for your appointment letter, they are asking for your academic documents, your national ID, now why do you call a speaker to help you?” he said.

He said the exercise aims to ensure the institution has the right people in the right positions.

Photo by Parliament

[Dr. Arinaitwe Rugyendo 🇺🇬 @RugyendoQuotes]

Thank you for this endorsement my mentor and first boss, Senior @cobbo3! Rt. Hon @ObothOboth's mission of a people-centred parliament is on course. We await your wisdom and objective analysis in your sacred spaces when your ear picks something on one of the parliamentary grounds soon!

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Fellow citizens,

I have seen some reports in the media about the on-going validation exercise of the staff of the Parliamentary Service.

There is no panic. There's bliss!

For fairness and transparency, I requested the assistance of Head of Public Service because Parliamentary service is indeed Public Service .

It is not the interest of the new leadership of Parliament to see anyone lose a job. The nation should not overthink this. Everyone should take it easy and keep serving.

I would like to assure the country that this exercise is a normal process. What we are doing is a simple exercise of restoring morale ,intergrity and sanity in the parliamentary service.

When you are called a senior, you should actually be a senior. When you are a principal, you should actually be a principal. You can become a director whether you joined in 2024 or 2026, but it must come with the right qualifications and experience.
Think of public service as a race.

Everyone should begin from the same starting line and run fairly to the finish. That is all this validation seeks to ensure.

I grew up through merit. I did interviews from the entry point and was shortlisted among many. I had no god parent in public service God was instead, my parent. I know it is possible to grow. And as Parliamentary Service, we are taking the lead on this.

I, therefore, appeal for patience and all staff should remain calm and go about their activities normally.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Having previously come here with a patient, I am here as a witness to pay back and support a facility that does something truly great in Uganda and across Eastern and Central Africa.

A heartfelt thank you to all the runners for your incredible contribution today, and let us continue letting the world know about the life-saving work of CURE Hospital.

God bless you all!

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Today morning, I was honored to flag off an important run for CURE brain surgery hospital to save lives.

Standing alongside Honorable Minister @honlydiawanyoto , fellow Members of Parliament, and well-wishers, I was reminded that this hospital brings life not just to hundreds, but millions, because saving a single life touches everyone.

CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda in Mbale has spent a decade running to support the smallest among us, performing specialized pediatric brain surgeries for conditions like hydrocephalus and spina bifida.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Having previously come here with a patient, I am here as a witness to pay back and support a facility that does something truly great in Uganda and across Eastern and Central Africa.

A heartfelt thank you to all the runners for your incredible contribution today, and let us continue letting the world know about the life-saving work of CURE Hospital.

God bless you all!

[NBS Breaking News @NBSBreakingNews]

The Speaker of Parliament, @ObothOboth, has revealed that starting next week, all employees of Parliament will undergo a validation exercise intended to weed out those who were illegally recruited.

@simugabi

#NBSLiveAt9 #NBSUpdates

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

This morning, I had a wonderful meeting with Mr. Amin Mawji, the AKDN Diplomatic Representative in Uganda, to discuss their ongoing and future development initiatives.

I strongly commend the Aga Khan Development Network for their extraordinary commitment to Uganda’s progress, particularly in the key sectors of education, health, and energy.

What stands out most about the Aga Khan institutions is their deep-rooted focus on long-term national growth rather than short-term profit.

Their decades of service speak for themselves; from resolving our country's major energy crisis through the Bujagali power project to establishing Air Uganda when we needed a national carrier.

Today, that remarkable legacy continues with major multi-million dollar investments, including modern pharmaceutical manufacturing plants currently under construction in the Namanve Industrial Park and the state-of-the-art Aga Khan University Hospital in Nakawa, set to fully open next year.

We truly cherish this enduring, impactful partnership and look forward to seeing these critical projects transform the lives of our people and drive sustainable socioeconomic transformation across our nation.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

I have today met and briefed delegation of Members of Parliament ahead of their Parliamentary visit to Pakistan for the International Parliamentarians ‘Conference on Climate Change, scheduled for 19-20 October 2026 in Islamabad.

This part of our continued strategy on parliamentary democracy augmenting traditional diplomacy to strengthen our bilateral relations with brother nations across the world.

The delegation comprises Hon. Bagiire Aggrey Henry, Hon. Owino Nicholas, Hon. Namutaawe Joan, Hon. Ogama Alli Ismail, and technical staff led by Dr. Deo Arinaitwe Rugyendo.

I have stressed the importance of strengthening Uganda – Pakistan relations, especially through parliamentary diplomacy. This team’s participation is very critical in our journey of advancing practical solutions to climate change and water security challenges that affect our people.

I urged the delegation to put Uganda’s national interests first, participate constructively, uphold diplomatic protocol, and represent our country with integrity, patriotism and professionalism.

I have emphasized that this visit should go beyond dialogue to deliver tangible outcomes, including stronger bilateral cooperation, knowledge exchange and actionable recommendations that support Uganda’s climate resilience, water security and sustainable development.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Yesterday, I officiated as Chief Guest at the 3rd CEOs’ Breakfast Meeting and High-Level Dialogue on “Accelerating Uganda’s Green Economy Transition through Digital Transformation.”

In my remarks I observed that we cannot win a battle with Mother Nature. As Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, “The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”

We face not two crises but one - environmental and social. The last eleven years were the hottest on record. In 2025 the planet was about 1.43°C warmer than pre-industrial levels.

Africa emits under 4% of global greenhouse gases yet loses 2–5% of GDP yearly to climate shocks. Uganda’s forest cover has fallen from 24% in 1990 to 11.8% today.

Between 2020 and 2025 we lost 38,000 hectares a year — one football pitch every ten minutes. Parliament will continue to legislate, appropriate and oversee so that climate priorities become action.

We welcome the One Constituency One Million Trees Initiative and look forward to the 7th SDG Run on 8 November 2026.

The green transition is also an opportunity for investment, innovation and jobs. The climate belongs to us all. We can never win a fight against Mother Nature.

I thank the organisers for the wonderful appreciation award!

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

This afternoon in my communication to the House, I welcomed Members and reported on our recent Inter-Parliamentary Union engagements in Arusha, Tanzania.

Our hosts received us warmly in the true East African spirit. I congratulated Hon. @EvelyneNinsiim1 on her appointment to the IPU High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, and Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou on her appointment to the Committee on Peace and International Security.

Our participation also included the EAC Speakers’ Bureau meeting, where we discussed preparations for the December EAC Parliamentary Games. Uganda has a strong sporting reputation, and I urged our teams to prepare well.⁠

The House then adopted the report of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, presented by MP Patrick Aeku, on human-wildlife conflicts.

Key recommendations include a dedicated ring-fenced HWC Mitigation and Compensation Fund, increased budgets and equipment for the HWC Division including phased electric fencing, a national digital management system within 12 months, an inter-ministerial coordination committee, integration of HWC into land-use plans, stronger community participation, and accelerated review of the Wildlife Act. Prevention must come first, with fair and timely compensation as a safety net.⁠

After a spirited debate, the report was adopted. I thank the 49 Members who contributed—time was limited—and the Committee leadership and members. The 12th Parliament has a distinctive breed of committees producing unique work.

The Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, a Private Member’s Bill by Hon. Bukenya Michael Iga (Bukuya County), was also tabled and the member granted for leave of parliament to present it.

Patient safety and quality healthcare remain central to our people-centred legislation.

[Nakut Faith Loru Chuna @faithchuna1]

Yesterday I represented Rt Hon @ObothOboth at the 2nd National Annual Disability Run in Kampala. This run focused at raising resources to support construction of a entrepreneural skilling hub for PWDs. This will reduce vulnerabilities of PWDs & raise their contribution to GDP.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Today, I received the Inspectorate of Government’s 55th Bi-Annual Performance Report (January–June 2026) from the Inspector General of Government, Hon. Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, and her team. Coming to Parliament with the whole team was unprecedented, and I thank them sincerely.

Corruption is not done in the forest. It is among us. It is also an industry, internationally known, and those in it are learning how to steal without being caught. The Inspectorate of Government (IG) must up its game, and Parliament will support the retooling of its staff, the filling of 168 vacant posts and the closing of legal gaps. The law is not static.

I have directed that the report be placed on tomorrow’s Order Paper so that the House can act on its findings without delay.

I have also directed the Clerk to furnish the IG with all parliamentary recommendations for action!

Inspectorate, we are here to support you.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

Thank you Rt. Hon First Deputy Prime Minister. Seamless crossborder trade is a critical component in our growth strategy!

[Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga @RebeccaKadagaUG]

Hon Speaker, i have instructed the works Ministry to fast-track the acquisition of land for the Mulwanda Border, your message will re-inforce the process @ObothOboth

[Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga @RebeccaKadagaUG]

Hon Speaker, i have instructed the works Ministry to fast-track the acquisition of land for the Mulwanda Border, your message will re-inforce the process @ObothOboth

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

I emphasized the fact that Roads alone will not end poverty in Mulwanda and across the country. Our people must also earn.
I was encouraged by the plans Hon. Maganda shared for Samia Bugwe South: a hatchery in every village able to hatch 5,000 eggs a month, and a target of 4 million coffee and cocoa seedlings, of which 200,000 are already available. Families with an acre or half an acre of land are invited to take seedlings so that every household has a cash crop.
He also announced a UGX 600 million Village Empowerment Seed Capital to support women across the constituency from 2027 to 2030, with UGX 100 million already in place. To this, I have committed UGX 20 million form the Speaker's donation budget to this fund.
Our NRM National Treasurer, Hon. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, urged residents to build household wealth through the Parish Development Model, the 4-Acre Model and Emyooga. She appealed to Parliament to help ease Emyooga financing conditions so that youth skilled in carpentry and metal fabrication can access start-up capital more easily. I have taken note.
Finally, I urge leaders across the Bukedi region to meet ahead of national budget planning so that we address regional poverty and drive economic growth together.
Let us continue supporting our elected representatives, H.E. President Museveni and the NRM manifesto.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

THE TRADE LINK UGANDA AND KENYA DESERVE!
Yesterday, I had the honour of joining the people of Samia Bugwe South as Chief Guest at the thanksgiving ceremony of Hon. Julius Wandera Maganda, held at Butenge Primary School in Lunyo, Busia District.
In my address, I took keen interest in the long standing call by our elders, including Justice James Ogoola, who have been asking for the construction of the 12-kilometre stretch at Mulwanda. Their request is a fair one.
I therefore took the opportunity to direct the Ministry of Works and Transport to work on this road immediately, to ease the movement of our people.
The road will run through Lumino Sub-County and open a third border connection between Uganda and Kenya. It will decongest the heavily used Busia and Malaba crossings and give our traders a faster, cheaper route for cross-border business.
As leaders from the same region, Hon. Maganda and I understand the aspirations of our people. Our communities continue to raise concerns about the condition of roads, railway development and other infrastructure needs that affect their daily lives.
Those concerns deserve action. The Mulwanda road is a practical place to begin, and I look forward to seeing the Ministry of Works and Transport move quickly so that our people can feel the difference.

[Jacob Marksons Oboth (MP) @ObothOboth]

I congratulate Hon. Julius Wandera Maganda on two important milestones: his re-election as Member of Parliament for Samia Bugwe South, and his appointment as Minister of State for Works and Transport.
Honourable Maganda, your re-election reflects the trust the people have placed in you. Your appointment by His Excellency the President gives you an opportunity to contribute further to our country’s development.
The appointment of one of our own to this important Ministry naturally raises expectations. I encourage you to ensure that the concerns of our region are brought to the attention of Government, and that our priority infrastructure needs receive due consideration within national plans and available resources.
But the duty goes beyond the region. While serving our people here, we must remember that your responsibility extends to the entire country.
In Parliament, we shall continue to play our respective roles in legislation, budgeting and oversight to support infrastructure development and service delivery across Uganda.
Yours is a call to greater service. Remain humble, accessible and committed to the needs of the people.
To the people of Samia Bugwe South and Busia District: keep supporting your leaders, and keep holding them accountable. Development requires cooperation between leaders, Government and the people.