Tayebwa urges Parliamentary committees to take Parliament closer to the people

By Our Reporter

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has urged parliamentary committee chairpersons to conduct regular field visits to assess government programmes, strengthen accountability and ensure Parliament’s work reflects the needs and concerns of ordinary Ugandans.

Tayebwa said taking Parliament closer to the people would improve legislative debates, strengthen oversight, enhance the institution’s public image and advance its vision of becoming a transformed, independent and people-centred Parliament.

He made the remarks on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while opening a quarterly meeting of sectoral committee chairpersons, regional and zonal whips at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.

Tayebwa challenged committee leaders to visit communities and establish how government programmes are being implemented, noting that information gathered from the field would help Members of Parliament make informed decisions when scrutinising ministerial policy statements.

“Go and be felt. Going to the field doesn’t mean that you should bring a report to Parliament. No, you will get information which will enable you to do your work when you are processing ministerial policy statements,” Tayebwa said.

He emphasised that Parliament must play a more active role in ensuring public funds reach their intended beneficiaries and support productive activities capable of improving livelihoods.

The Deputy Speaker noted that Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth, upon assuming office, committed funds previously held under the Speaker’s office to parliamentary committees to ensure they are adequately facilitated to conduct oversight activities.

Tayebwa also challenged MPs to play a central role in translating Musevenomics, Uganda’s homegrown economic philosophy, into legislation, budget priorities and stronger oversight of government programmes to accelerate economic transformation.

He said the philosophy should move beyond political branding and become a practical framework for boosting production, creating wealth and improving household incomes.

“Parliament must anchor Musevenomics in law and in the budget,” Tayebwa said, identifying legislation, funding and oversight as key instruments for its implementation.

He outlined five priority areas through which Parliament can support the philosophy: promoting value addition through legislation, financing infrastructure that supports production, strengthening oversight of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, legislating for land consolidation and tenure security, and championing regional integration to expand markets for Ugandan products.

On value addition, Tayebwa called for a shift away from exporting raw materials towards processing, packaging and branding products locally to increase their value and create more economic opportunities within the country.

“No more export of raw coffee beans, raw dairy and raw minerals. We must roast, grind, process, package and brand from Uganda,” he added.

Tayebwa’s remarks place parliamentary committees at the centre of efforts to improve government accountability and align public spending with Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.