ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WARNS LAZY LEADERS AS PARLIAMENT ELECTS NEW SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned that he is going to be
tough on lazy and inactive leaders who don't care about the interests of
the people they are supposed to serve.

According to President Museveni, lazy and inactive leaders towards
socio-economic initiatives are traitors betraying their country-Uganda.

“I'm in a position to be very rough with people who want a level of
leadership but dont care about the people they lead. I have been talking
for a long time, and I would just sound like a preacher. I have already
laid a trap for all those people through programs on the ground,” he said.

The President made the remarks today during the 1st meeting of the 1st
session of the 12 th Parliament at Kololo Independence Grounds.
President Museveni’s proclamation to hold the 1st session was read by
the Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Adolf Mwesige.

President Museveni wondered why some Ugandans remain poor yet the
government has invested a lot of capital on ground.

“I'm in a very bad mood. The capital is there at each parish. Use it.
Enough is enough. Every so-called leader must use the government
programs to eliminate poverty and create wealth,” he cautioned.

“I have put money through government programs on the ground. As I
speak, in every parish there is Shs 800 million of low-cost capital.”

President Museveni advised leaders that if indeed they care about the
citizens, they should go back to these parishes and ask for
accountability for those funds such as the Parish Development Model
(PDM).

“I don't want to hear that there is poverty in homesteads that have land
and yet money is there at parish level. If you are a minister and I come
to your village and people are still suffering, I will sack you,” he said.

“I want to inform everybody that I have been monitoring and I dont want
to embarrass mature people. The money is there on the ground, lets
use it to get our people out of poverty.”

He further warned leaders against meandering around supporting
European Football clubs when their people are living in poverty, saying
he will not tolerate that kind of betrayal anymore.

“One of my people was inviting me for something called Arsenal. I said
what's Arsenal? That I should go and celebrate. Celebrate what? I was a
footballer myself; I gave up football in 1966 and now I am on Uganda.
Okay you can have your Arsenal, but start with the people please. How
can you be celebrating European clubs when your people don't have
anything?” he wondered.

On the issue of Ebola outbreak, President Museveni tasked Ugandans
to take precautionary measures to ensure that the disease is prevented.
“Please set an example. There is big problem in Congo. Let's stop this
business of shaking hands and so on. Ebola spreads through physical

contact. I was here watching you shaking hands and hugging. Do you
people know that there is Ebola? For me I've not touched any of you,” he
said.

During the same meeting, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12 th
Parliament were elected.

For the Speakership position, a total of three candidates were in the
race: Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth (West Budama Central), the
National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer; Paul Mwiru (Jinja
East) of the National Unity Platform (NUP), presented as the joint
opposition candidate; and Democratic Party (DP) President General
Norbert Mao (Laroo- Pece).

The Chief Justice, His Lordship, Flavian Zeija presided over the election.
He cited rules of procedure guiding the election of the speaker of
Parliament and tasks the clerk to Parliament to remind MPs of the
guidelines and eligibility.

The outgoing Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, also Katakwi District
Woman Member of Parliament nominated Hon. Oboth Oboth for the
position of Speaker of Parliament.

H.E Alupo cited candidate Oboth Oboth’s distinguished career in legal
practice, legislative experience, experience in public service, a patriot
and thorough education stance, among other unique attributes that
qualify and render him the most suitable candidate for speaker of
Parliament.

After the vote count, Hon. Oboth-Oboth emerged the winner of the race,
defeating Mwiru and Mao.

He garnered 441 votes followed by Mwiru who garnered 60 votes and
Mao garnered came last with 15 votes.

His Lordship Zeija confirmed the outcome of the election and declared
Hon. Oboth-Oboth Speaker- elect of the 12th Parliament.

Subsequently, the Speaker-elect took an oath before President
Museveni and he was handed instruments of power including the Mace,
The national flag, Constitution, the rules of procedure of Parliament, and
the speaker robes.

In his address, the new Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Oboth Oboth
committed to enforce prompt accountability interventions for public
resources, promised rapid and highly visible changes required of
Parliament.

He pledged to lead a corruption-free Parliament, declaring zero
tolerance to misuse of public resources.

He also called on MPs to observe modesty, dignity and unity in service
to regain public trust from the populace.

Rt. Hon. Oboth Oboth attributed his landslide victory to faithfulness and
strategic patience.

On the other hand, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa (Ruhinda North) was
elected Deputy Speaker of the 12 th Parliament after defeating Nyakato
Asinansi (Hoima City) and Sarah Aguti (Dokolo District).

Rt. Hon. Tayebwa garnered 457 votes against Nyakato who garnered 45
votes and Aguti with 14 votes.

He called on MPs to have a unified cause to foster socio-economic
transformation for the populace with focus on wealth creation for all
households.

Rt. Hon. Tayebwa also commended his supporters and mobilizers
across all political formations that endorsed him, the NRM Central
Executive Committee that approved his candidacy and the Patriotic
League of Uganda that endorsed.

He promised to contribute towards building a Parliament of national pride.
Lastly, President Museveni congratulated the newly elected leadership of
Parliament and highlighted the transparency witnessed in the election.

He also commended the opposition political parties for their involvement
in the speakership race and rallied MPs to consolidate national gains
initiated by the NRM government for further national socio-economic
transformation and development.