Tayebwa warns underperforming parliamentary committees of funding cuts

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1248 EAT on Wednesday 21 October 2026

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has warned that parliamentary committees that fail to meet their reporting obligations risk losing funding, saying allocations will be tied to performance and accountability.

Addressing MPs during Tuesday afternoon’s plenary sitting, Tayebwa said several committees had failed to submit the minimum number of reports required under Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, undermining their responsibility to keep the House informed on key thematic issues.

He singled out the Committee on Climate Change, which he said had not presented a single report during the 11th Parliament despite receiving and spending public funds.

“This is therefore to require committees to conform to the reporting requirements and justify their existence,” Tayebwa said.

“If your committee is not working, there is no reason for giving you money,” he added.

Tayebwa said Parliament’s leadership would also engage party whips to ensure committee leadership positions were held by MPs committed to fulfilling their responsibilities.

He warned that committee leaders who repeatedly failed to present reports while continuing to receive or request additional funding would face scrutiny and possible replacement.

“We talk to whips and request that, please, this one is not suitable to be a leader,” Tayebwa said.

He explained that Parliament established specialised standing committees to provide sustained oversight of thematic issues that might otherwise receive limited attention from committees with broader mandates.

The committees include those on Equal Opportunities, HIV/AIDS and Related Matters, Human Rights, Climate Change, and Science and Technology. Tayebwa said Parliament’s Rules of Procedure require them to present reports to the House at least twice a year.

The committees are mandated to provide regular updates on developments, policy issues and challenges within their respective sectors. However, Tayebwa said some had failed to meet the minimum reporting requirements.

He said tying funding to performance would strengthen accountability in the use of parliamentary resources and ensure committees fulfil their mandates.

Parliament has 15 standing committees, whose membership and leadership are appointed at the beginning of each parliamentary term and reorganised after two and a half years. Each committee comprises about 30 MPs selected by party whips.

-Observer

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