Politics 21 October 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Tayebwa Warns Underperforming Committees: Funding on the Line
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has issued a stern warning to parliamentary committees, stating that those failing to submit required reports risk losing their funding. He emphasized that financial allocations will be directly linked to committee performance and accountability. Source: https://observer.ug/news/tayebwa-threatens-to-cut-funding-for-underperforming-parliamentary-committees
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has announced a potential crackdown on parliamentary committees that are not fulfilling their reporting duties. During a plenary session, Tayebwa highlighted that several committees have fallen short of the minimum reporting requirements stipulated by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, thereby hindering the House’s access to crucial information on various thematic issues.
Tayebwa specifically called out the Committee on Climate Change for its lack of reports, despite receiving public funds. He stressed that committees must justify their existence by adhering to reporting mandates and that funding will be contingent on demonstrated work. “If your committee is not working, there is no reason for giving you money,” Tayebwa declared.
To address this, Parliament’s leadership plans to collaborate with party whips to ensure that leadership roles within committees are assigned to MPs who show commitment. Leaders who repeatedly fail to present reports while continuing to seek or receive funding will face scrutiny and potential replacement.
Specialized standing committees, such as those for Equal Opportunities, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights, Climate Change, and Science and Technology, are mandated to report to the House at least twice annually. These committees are designed to provide consistent updates on their respective sectors. Tayebwa’s initiative aims to bolster accountability in the utilization of parliamentary resources and ensure that committees effectively execute their responsibilities.
Parliament currently has 15 standing committees, with membership and leadership established at the commencement of each parliamentary term and reorganized mid-term. Each committee typically consists of around 30 Members of Parliament selected by their respective party whips. This move signals a new emphasis on performance-driven resource allocation within the legislative body.