Speaking during NBS Barometer on Tuesday, Rwomushana said Parliament’s challenges begin at the electoral stage, claiming that many legislators do not enter the August House through fair elections.
“In my view, if you closely examine Parliament, nine out of every ten MPs did not win their seats fairly, and many are there for financial gain and deals,” he said, adding that the induction programme taking place this week at Speke Resort Munyonyo is insufficient as a reform tool.
“I see the parliamentary induction as more of a ‘panel-beating’ exercise than a comprehensive orientation for Members of Parliament.”
National Unity Platform (NUP) mobiliser Habib Buwembo echoed similar concerns, saying induction cannot resolve what he described as a broader crisis of integrity and perception in Parliament.
“Parliamentary induction is not a bad idea, but people now have a different perception of Parliament. You cannot expect an MP who entered Parliament through vote rigging and bribery to stop being corrupt,” he said.
Former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament and Democratic Party (DP) Vice President Fred Mukasa Mbidde said political leadership in Uganda has lost public respect.
“In Uganda today, politicians are seen as comedians, while comedians are taken seriously,” he said.
The remarks come against the backdrop of Members of the 12th Parliament and Cabinet ministers undergoing an induction programme at aimed at familiarising legislators with parliamentary procedures, committee operations, legislative processes, budgeting and oversight ahead of the commencement of full parliamentary business.
Opening the programme, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth warned MPs against corruption, saying parliamentary committees had already been sufficiently funded to execute their work.
“Committees have been given money that is enough to do their work comprehensively. The practice of MPs going abroad without the members who receive committee allowances, or sitting when there is no quorum, has stopped. There will be no more use of Parliament committees to seek money,” he said.
He cautioned legislators against fraudulent claims related to committee attendance, field activities and official trips.
“Don’t ask for payment for trips you have not undertaken, don’t sign in the book of attendance when you did not attend the committee sitting, don’t get money for field trips where you have not been,” he said.
Oboth-Oboth outlined a seven-point strategic
agenda for the 12th Parliament, including zero tolerance for corruption, strengthened accountability, compliance with public finance management laws, evidence-based legislation, people-centred lawmaking, results-based budgeting, an open Parliament and proactive oversight of government programmes.
He further urged MPs to actively participate in parliamentary work and use committee engagements as the main platform for oversight and legislative delivery.
“I urge you to use your time here well, and also in the committees, by first and foremost being present and committed to parliamentary work,” he said.
Oboth-Oboth also revealed that he had reduced the budget of his office and redirected funds to parliamentary committees to strengthen oversight capacity, while urging government to finalise the appointment of remaining Parliamentary Commissioners and committee leadership.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja called for closer coordination between Parliament and the Executive, urging ministers to attend parliamentary sittings and rallying the House to support government efforts aimed at transitioning Uganda to upper middle-income status through legislation, budgeting and oversight.
“I urge the 12th Parliament to support the President and NRM in moving the country to upper middle-income status. This requires laws, budgets and oversight that are focused on service delivery and transformation,” Nabbanja said.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi urged MPs to safeguard Parliament’s independence, uphold robust debate and defend constitutional freedoms, while calling for stronger action against abductions, intimidation of citizens and restrictions on media freedom.
“The House must defend the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.