Entebbe: The Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament involved in public accounts committees, emphasizing that their role should focus on safeguarding public trust rather than engaging in political vendettas. This call to duty was made during the conclusion of a two-day induction for public accounts committees at the Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe.
According to African Press Organization, Speaker Oboth highlighted the critical importance of oversight in maintaining public confidence that government resources are utilized as Parliament has sanctioned. He urged committee members to avoid using their positions as platforms for personal or political gain, stating, "Your duty is not to hunt individuals nor to settle political scores. Your duty is to restore public confidence that government resources are used for the purposes approved by Parliament."
During his address, Oboth outlined the essential principles that should guide the committees' work: fairness, independence, professionalism, and timeliness. He stressed that the true measure of their success lies in the improvement of public service delivery rather than merely the quantity of reports or the number of witnesses summoned. "When the people of Uganda entrust us with the responsibility to oversee their resources, what exactly are they placing in our hands?... They are placing in our hands their trust," Oboth remarked.
The Speaker underscored that delayed accountability weakens Parliament's oversight role and called for evidence-based findings free from political influence. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for Parliament to uphold the same standards of integrity it expects from public officials, noting that unresolved audit queries often lead to inadequate service delivery.
Public Accounts Committees play a pivotal role in Parliament's oversight function, scrutinizing government expenditure and audit reports to ensure that public funds are allocated and utilized appropriately, reflecting the priorities set by Parliament.