I would like to congratulate all the MPs who showed interest in contesting for the speakership seat. When you look at the big number of people aspiring for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions, it clearly shows that the previous driver seems to have been driving Parliament while drinking, which was a risk of accident.
I want to thank my brother Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth for the win. The votes you got show that people have put trust in you. From today, your title has changed from being Hon. Minister to Rt. Hon. Speaker. Remember, the word is Rt. Hon. Speaker, not Left Hon. Speaker, meaning you are now the right man, and whatever you will preside over in Parliament will be right for the benefit of Ugandans.
That office comes with serious and heavy responsibilities, but I know with you, you can manage it.
I started trusting you 17 years ago when you were representing the office of the Attorney General in the Uganda Human Rights Commission tribunal held in Moroto. The confidence you had and how bold you were at that time makes me believe Ugandans will love the 12th Parliament under your leadership.
I only want to give you advice: remember to buy a new broom to help clean that room so that you start the house with fresh air.
Watch your back; there are many who are supposed to be culprits. They have been dining together with the former Speaker, but when they saw her fall into trouble, they all ran away and are now trying to look very nice in front of you. Watch them closely.
To my elder brother Norbert Mao, it is not yet over. This country still loves you, and President Museveni still values you. I am sure there will be another position you might work in again for the betterment of Ugandans.
You have demonstrated faithfulness when the President appointed you as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, where you did a commendable job in that sensitive ministry. Your name is in President Museveni’s book—not for being bad, but for being hardworking and a good man. Thank you for that.
To all Ugandans, this is now the new Parliament. We should start monitoring and evaluating whatever bills they make, and we should always stand firm and reject any bill that we see will suppress Ugandans.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
