Politics 23 October 2026 Nile Post

Tayebwa Urges Parliamentary Committees to Take Parliament to the People

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has called on parliamentary committee chairpersons to conduct regular field visits to improve legislative oversight, connect with communities, and anchor local economic philosophies into national laws. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/380917/take-parliament-to-the-people-tayebwa-tells-committee-chairs

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has challenged parliamentary committee chairpersons to bridge the gap between the legislature and citizens by conducting regular field visits. Speaking during a quarterly meeting at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, Tayebwa emphasized that taking Parliament closer to the people is vital for improving legislative debates, strengthening government oversight, and enhancing the institution’s public image.

The meeting, which was convened by Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng to evaluate first-quarter performance, served as a platform to refocus parliamentary priorities. Tayebwa noted that the best way to understand public needs is not by waiting for citizens to visit Parliament, but by lawmakers actively going out into communities to assess the real-world implementation of government initiatives.

According to the Deputy Speaker, firsthand information gathered from these visits equips members of parliament with the necessary insights to scrutinize ministerial policy statements effectively. He reassured lawmakers that adequate funding has been availed for committee oversight activities, following a decision by Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth to redirect funds previously held centrally.

Beyond field engagement, Tayebwa urged legislators to actively translate “Musevenomics”—Uganda’s homegrown economic philosophy—into concrete laws, budget priorities, and robust oversight frameworks. He explained that Parliament must ensure this philosophy transcends political branding to become a practical engine for wealth creation, value addition, and household income growth.

Tayebwa outlined key legislative priorities, including halting the export of raw materials such as coffee, dairy, and minerals in favor of local processing and branding. He also called for strict oversight of wealth-creation initiatives like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga to guarantee that public funds genuinely benefit targeted households.