Parliament staff began reporting to Conference Halls A and B as early as 6:30 a.m. on Monday ahead of a high-level verification exercise led by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth to scrutinise employees’ academic qualifications, recruitment records and suitability for the positions they occupy.
The 8 a.m. meeting brought together the Speaker, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and other members of the Parliamentary Commission, as Parliament moved to establish whether its employees possess the qualifications required for their jobs.
The exercise comes amid reports that more than 300 employees may have been recruited into Parliament during the 11th Parliament without following the proper procedures. The allegations have prompted the institution’s leadership to undertake a comprehensive review of its workforce and employment records.
The verification is intended to establish the authenticity of staff members’ academic credentials, assess whether their qualifications match their current responsibilities and determine whether promotions and appointments were conducted in accordance with established requirements.
The exercise will also address wider administrative and staffing concerns within the institution.
More Than 300 Staff Under Scrutiny
The validation exercise follows an announcement by Oboth during a parliamentary sitting last week that all employees would be required to account for their recruitment and employment records, regardless of seniority or department.
According to previous reports, the review is expected to cover more than 300 staff members whose recruitment during the 11th Parliament has raised questions about compliance with established procedures.
However, the allegations have not been conclusively established, and the verification exercise is expected to determine whether any irregularities occurred.
The process is being conducted with support from the Public Service Commission, led by Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe.
Staff are expected to present original academic certificates, appointment letters, national identity cards, parliamentary identification cards and other documents detailing their employment history.
The review will examine qualifications ranging from secondary education to university degrees and relevant professional certifications.
The verification is also expected to examine staff promotions, postings and transfers to establish whether employees progressed through the ranks in accordance with the applicable procedures.
Four-Day Exercise Targets All Departments
The exercise is expected to run for four days, from Monday, October 19, through Thursday, October 22, 2026, covering staff across Parliament’s administrative and technical departments.
According to a schedule reported by Nile Post, the first phase covers offices associated with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk to Parliament and other senior parliamentary leaders, alongside communications and corporate planning departments.
The review is then expected to move through finance, human resources and administration, transport and logistics, before concluding with the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, parliamentary clerks and the Parliamentary Budget Office.
Some committee proceedings could be affected, with reports indicating that certain meetings may be shifted to afternoon sessions to accommodate the exercise.
Parliamentary Commission Under Pressure to Enforce Accountability
The exercise places the Parliamentary Commission at the centre of efforts to strengthen accountability within the institution.
Under Article 87A of the Constitution and the Administration of Parliament Act, the Commission is responsible for appointing, promoting and exercising disciplinary control over parliamentary staff. Its mandate also includes reviewing staff qualifications, training and terms of service.
The Commission is chaired by Speaker Oboth, with Tayebwa serving as deputy chairperson. Ssenyonyi, as Leader of the Opposition, is also a member, alongside other designated commissioners.
The involvement of the institution’s top leadership signals that the review is intended to cover the entire workforce rather than only junior employees or selected departments.
The findings could help Parliament establish whether its employment records are accurate, whether staff members meet the requirements for their positions and whether recruitment and promotion procedures were properly followed.
Any disciplinary or administrative action would depend on the findings and the applicable rules.
Broader Push to Reform Parliament
The verification exercise comes as Oboth pursues changes to Parliament’s internal systems and administration following the start of the 12th Parliament in May 2026.
The Speaker has also announced plans to revive the Parliamentary Institute to provide training for legislators and technical staff, with the stated objective of strengthening professionalism and institutional capacity.
The current exercise will therefore test not only the accuracy of staff records but also Parliament’s commitment to merit-based recruitment and transparent human-resource management.
For taxpayers, the central question is whether the review will establish the facts behind the reported recruitment concerns and lead to appropriate action where violations are confirmed.
The outcome of the exercise is expected to clarify whether the reported irregularities occurred and what corrective measures, if any, Parliament will take.
