Enough is Enough! Museveni Warns Lazy Leaders as Parliament Elects New Speaker and Deputy Speaker

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned that he will take tough action against lazy and inactive leaders who fail to prioritize the interests of the people they are meant to serve.

According to the President, leaders who neglect socio-economic transformation initiatives are traitors who are betraying Uganda.

“I’m in a position to be very rough with people who want leadership positions but don’t 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 first meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament at Kololo Independence Grounds. His proclamation for the opening of the session was read by the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Adolf Mwesige.

President Museveni questioned why some Ugandans remain poor despite government investment in various development programs.

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

“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,” he added.

He advised leaders who genuinely care about citizens to return to their villages and account for funds under programs 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 available at parish level. If you are a minister and I come to your village and people are still suffering, I will sack you,” he warned.

“I want to inform everybody that I have been monitoring, and I don’t want to embarrass mature people. The money is there on the ground—let’s use it to get our people out of poverty.”

The President also criticized leaders who prioritize following European football clubs over addressing poverty in their communities.

“One of my people was inviting me for something called Arsenal. I asked, what is Arsenal? Should I go and celebrate? Celebrate what? I was a footballer myself; I gave it up in 1966 and now I am focused on Uganda. You can have your Arsenal, but start with your people. How can you be celebrating European clubs when your people have nothing?” he asked.

On the Ebola outbreak, President Museveni urged Ugandans to observe preventive measures to avoid the spread of the disease.

“There is a big problem in Congo. Let’s stop this habit of shaking hands and so on. Ebola spreads through physical contact. I was watching you shaking hands and hugging. Do you people know there is Ebola? I have not touched any of you,” he said.

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

For the Speakership, three candidates contested: Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth (West Budama Central), the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer; Paul Mwiru (Jinja East) of the National Unity Platform (NUP), 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 and cited the rules of procedure guiding the process, directing the Clerk to Parliament to remind MPs of the guidelines and eligibility requirements.

The outgoing Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, also Katakwi District Woman MP, nominated Hon. Oboth-Oboth for the Speakership, praising his legal background, legislative experience, public service record, patriotism, and academic credentials.

Following the vote, Hon. Oboth-Oboth emerged victorious with 441 votes, followed by Mwiru with 60 votes and Mao with 15 votes.

The Chief Justice confirmed the results and declared Hon. Oboth-Oboth Speaker-elect of the 12th Parliament.

The Speaker-elect was later sworn in before President Museveni and received instruments of power, including the Mace, the national flag, the Constitution, the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and the Speaker’s robes.

In his acceptance speech, Rt. Hon. Oboth-Oboth pledged to strengthen accountability, ensure visible parliamentary reforms, and promote zero tolerance for corruption and misuse of public resources.

He called on Members of Parliament to uphold modesty, dignity, and unity in order to restore public trust.

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

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

Tayebwa secured 457 votes, while Nyakato and Aguti garnered 45 and 14 votes respectively.

He called for unity among MPs to drive socio-economic transformation, with a focus on wealth creation at household level.

He also thanked his supporters across political formations, the NRM Central Executive Committee that endorsed his candidacy, and the Patriotic League of Uganda for their support, promising to contribute to a Parliament of national pride.

President Museveni later congratulated the newly elected parliamentary leadership, commending the transparency of the electoral process.

He also praised opposition participation in the Speakership race and urged MPs to consolidate national gains under the NRM government for continued socio-economic transformation and development.