Uganda: Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua takes office

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The newly appointed Government Chief Whip Hon. Hamson Obua has officially received the office from his predecessor, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

The official handover was held at Parliament on Tuesday, 16 August 2022, witnessed by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, Commissioners and Members of Parliament.

Speaking at the handover, Tayebwa urged Obua to maintain humility while interacting with and whipping ministers and Members of Parliament to actively participate in parliamentary business.

“We shall give you all the necessary support but I advise you to maintain humility. My success as a Government Chief Whip was by being humble. When you humble yourself before your colleagues, they will easily work with you,” Tayebwa said.

He urged the newly appointed Government Chief Whip to engage ministers to provide their schedules so as to easily engage them to appear before the House.

“You have to coordinate very well with the ministers so that they can extract Parliament business from the statements they present to Cabinet,” said the Deputy Speaker.

Tayebwa also urged Obua to work well with the Opposition in Parliament so as to easily come to commissions as government along with the Opposition.

“We were able to pass the oil Bills because of this. The Leader of the Opposition came to my office for three days working till late because he knew I respected him. He knows that when it requires me to go to his office, I will,” Tayebwa added.

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja commended Tayebwa for being a team player in his previous role, noting that he inspired her leadership through support while processing Government business in Parliament.

“Whipping MPs from both the front and back bench to ensure that Government positions are supported and MPs debate constructively, is not an easy job. I thank you [Tayebwa] that you did your best,” Nabbanja said.

She noted that in the Second Session, government is required to handle 62 Bills with an expected target of 80 per cent.

She added that 14 Bills have been presented for first reading and more are expected by the end of the first quarter.

“As we welcome our brother, we have enough to consume on our plates. The Government Chief Whip is the nerve centre of the ruling party in Parliament and is supposed to help us process government business,” said Nabbanja.

Obua said he intends to add value to the work that is done by the office of the Government Chief Whip and commended the work of his predecessors.

He urged legislators to join his new role in the spirit of 'Ubuntu', and urged staff of the office to keep pace of work so as ensure notable achievements during his tenure.

“In the next one week, I want to apportion time to organize meetings and set the journey right from the beginning. I will hold meetings with the NRM Parliamentary Caucus and with staff of the office of the Government Chief Whip,” Obua said.

The Clerk to Parliament Hon. Adolf Mwesige committed the availability of support by staff of Parliament to the office of the Government Chief Whip, to enable the success of the work of the office.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.