Tayebwa Urges MPs to Use Field Visits to Connect Parliament with Citizens

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has challenged parliamentary committee chairpersons to actively engage with communities through regular field visits. Speaking at a quarterly meeting held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, Tayebwa noted that such initiatives are vital for enhancing Parliament’s public image and ensuring the institution remains people-centred.

According to Tayebwa, visiting the grassroots allows members of parliament to assess how government programmes are being implemented firsthand. This direct interaction equips MPs with accurate information, which is crucial when scrutinising ministerial policy statements and making informed legislative decisions.

He further stressed the importance of strict accountability, noting that Parliament must guarantee that public resources effectively reach intended beneficiaries and stimulate productive economic activities. To support these oversight functions, Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth previously redirected funds from the Speaker’s office directly to parliamentary committees.

Beyond field monitoring, Tayebwa called on legislators to integrate Uganda’s homegrown economic philosophy, known as Musevenomics, into national laws and budget priorities. He emphasized that the framework should drive wealth creation, boost household incomes, and move beyond mere political branding.

Tayebwa outlined five key strategic priorities for the legislature: promoting local value addition to halt the export of raw materials, funding infrastructure that supports production, strictly overseeing initiatives like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, securing land tenure, and championing regional integration to widen market access.

Read the original story on the Parliament of Uganda.