Uganda’s new parliament speaker promised on Monday to rid the legislative house of corruption after his predecessor was placed under investigation for alleged corruption.
Jacob Oboth-Oboth, a former defence and veterans affairs minister, was elected with a majority of votes in the parliament, succeeding Anita Among.
Among has been confined to her home in Kampala, according to security sources, after a corruption investigation that saw her offices searched and her lavish car collection, which included a personalised Rolls-Royce, confiscated.
“I pledge a corruption-free parliament. Under my leadership, we will cultivate a culture of integrity and accountability,” Oboth-Oboth told lawmakers.
“Accountability begins with us,” he added.
In Uganda, a parliamentary speaker’s term runs concurrently with the five-year tenure of lawmakers, provided it is not interrupted.
