Freshly minted Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth has promised a clean slate for a legislature long criticised over corruption, weak oversight, and executive influence. Taking office, he unveiled an ambitious seven-pillar reform agenda focused on transparency, accountability, and restoring public trust in the institution.
His programme includes a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, stronger accountability mechanisms, evidence-based debate, a more people-centred legislature, results-based budgeting, an open Parliament, and enhanced oversight of public funds.
He has also pledged to strengthen Parliament’s relationship with the public through improved media engagement and openness.
However, critics argue that the scale of reform he has outlined will be difficult to achieve within a system many believe is structurally resistant to change.
Veteran MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda says the new Speaker is not an outsider to the current parliamentary system, cautioning against expectations of radical transformation.
“Under Speaker Kadaga, MPs made the mistake of making her the sole custodian of the rules until she essentially became the rules themselves,” Ssemujju said.
“I don’t think Oboth will present a completely different change—he will likely do the same things, just in a neater way. The first real test of his independence will be how he chairs the Appointments Committee.”
Ssemujju also argues that corruption will remain deeply embedded unless Parliament relinquishes control over administrative and budgetary decisions, pointing to controversial allocations such as billions of shillings in travel allowances and donations.
He questioned whether the new Speaker would have the political courage to challenge entrenched spending priorities or resist pressure from the executive arm of government.
But some MPs have urged patience, saying reform cannot rest solely on the Speaker’s shoulders.
Kazo County MP Dan Kimosho said Oboth-Oboth has the competence to steer Parliament but warned against unrealistic expectations.
“He is fully competent to steer Parliament in the right direction,” Kimosho said. “It is easy to reduce corruption, but we are over-expectant if we think one person can perform miracles overnight. He needs constructive engagement with the executive to handle systemic contradictions.”
Political analyst Godber Tumushabe offers a more cautious assessment, noting that the Speaker inherits an institution already weakened by long-standing political and structural pressures.
He also points to Oboth-Oboth’s background as a nominee of the Chief of Defence Forces, arguing that it raises questions about his independence in confronting entrenched interests.
“The agenda sounds good, but he doesn't have a clear public record on structural reform,” Tumushabe said. “He needs to reset this Parliament back to its ‘factory settings’—the standard of the 1996 Parliament. The real question is whether he has the stamina to fight from within an institution that has become part of the country’s corruption infrastructure. Will he defy the patronage systems, or simply hide in the kitchen?”
Observers say one of the key tests for the new Speaker will be how he handles the Parliamentary Budget Office and whether he can restore greater independence in the budget process, which is often shaped before reaching the floor of the House.
For now, Oboth-Oboth maintains that he remains committed to serving as a humble custodian of Parliament’s authority, despite the expectations and pressure that come with his new office.
His first 100 days are expected to offer early signals on whether his reform agenda will take root or be constrained by the realities of Uganda’s political structure.