Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth says 300 iron sheets he received without requesting them nearly derailed his political career, warning MPs against approving government projects without feasibility studies and bills of quantities.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth has recounted how his involvement in the Karamoja iron sheets scandal nearly ruined his political career, saying 300 iron sheets he received without requesting them were later used against him by political opponents.
Oboth made the revelation during a parliamentary debate as he cautioned legislators against approving government projects with arbitrary figures without proper technical assessments and bills of quantities.
“As a survivor of iron sheet scandal, if there is anything that is embarrassing that has ever happened to me, is when I was given 300 iron sheets, which I didn't ask for,” Oboth told the House.
He recalled how the matter was subsequently politicised, with opposition figures using it to criticise him.
“My world almost came to an end. This issue was later used heavily against me by Joel Ssenyonyi and others. Yet I never requested for them,” he said.
Oboth said the experience had taught him the importance of accountability and due process in government programmes, warning MPs against approving projects without adequate documentation.
He urged members of Parliament's Natural Resources Committee and the wider House to ensure that infrastructure projects, including the Solar-Powered Water Supply and Irrigation Project currently under scrutiny, are supported by feasibility studies and clear bills of quantities.
“You cannot just fix numbers. You must have a bill of quantities, you must have a feasibility study. If you don't, you will end up like some of us who suffered for things we didn't even ask for,” Oboth cautioned.
The Speaker also warned against allowing ministries to alter projects approved by Parliament without seeking fresh authorisation from legislators.
He said such changes could undermine accountability and weaken Parliament's oversight of public expenditure.
Oboth urged MPs to scrutinise documentation carefully before approving government borrowing and infrastructure projects, saying proper assessments are necessary to protect public resources, ensure value for money and prevent leaders from becoming embroiled in scandals.