What began as a routine church service in eastern Uganda has quickly evolved into one of the country’s most talked-about political controversies, drawing sharp criticism from senior public figures and reigniting debate over the place of faith, superstition and constitutional leadership in public office.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth found himself at the center of an online storm after telling worshippers that his office had become the target of witchcraft and other schemes intended to derail his leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
The remarks, delivered during a service at St. Mark Church of Uganda in Muwafu Village, West Budama Central Constituency in Tororo District, came as the Speaker sought to reassure supporters that he remained committed to reforming Parliament despite what he described as growing resistance to change.
The controversy has unfolded at a politically sensitive moment. Oboth Oboth, who was elected Speaker following the woes of former Speaker Anita Among who was forced to withdraw from the race to retain her position after the 2026 general elections, inherited an institution that has faced sustained public criticism over corruption allegations, accountability concerns and its handling of contentious legislation.
In recent weeks, he has pledged to restore public confidence in Parliament by fighting corruption, ending the alleged sale of public jobs and strengthening oversight of government institutions.
Instead, it was his comments about spiritual attacks that captured national attention.
Addressing the congregation, the Speaker said he would not allow fear or intimidation to distract him from the reforms he intends to pursue.
“My office has become a target of people using witchcraft and other schemes, but I believe there is a power greater than witchcraft that will guide us to succeed.”
He also appealed to Ugandans to pray for Parliament and the country’s leadership, saying he was “pregnant with some changes” that he hoped would leave a lasting legacy.
The Speaker further urged leaders from the Bukedi sub-region to put politics behind them and focus on improving household incomes and transforming the region through hard work, arguing that the campaign season was over and the time for service had begun.
The church service also featured a message from Rt. Rev. Samuel George Bogere Egesa, Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, who challenged political, cultural and religious leaders to reject arrogance and embrace servant leadership.
He urged those entrusted with public office to view leadership as an opportunity for sacrifice rather than personal enrichment or domination.
But it was the Speaker’s reference to witchcraft that quickly dominated public discourse.
Within hours, social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with reactions ranging from satire and disbelief to serious questions about leadership priorities at a time when Uganda continues to grapple with concerns over governance, corruption, human rights and the rule of law.
Among the strongest critics was Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, who questioned whether such remarks were befitting of the country’s third-highest constitutional office.
“Crying ‘witchcraft’? Spare us. A Speaker should bring to this high office calm judgment and credibility, not superstition and theatrics. Shape up Oboth Oboth!”
Human rights lawyer Dr. Sarah Bireete argued that the Speaker’s greatest challenge was not supernatural forces but fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities.
“The main prayers Jacob Oboth Oboth needs is for the courage to protect the Constitution and rule of law in Uganda. Once you do what is right at Parliament, God’s protection and people’s blessings will flow automatically and endlessly.”
Bireete went on to cite 1 Peter 3:12, urging the Speaker to revisit Article 79 of Uganda’s Constitution, which sets out Parliament’s legislative responsibilities. She warned that leaders who align themselves with repression risk being “haunted forever.”
Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura contrasted the Speaker’s concerns with what she described as the far more pressing fears confronting ordinary Ugandans.
“While Ugandans have sleepless nights over abductions and torture basements, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt hon Jacob Oboth Oboth who presides over parliament with a constitutional mandate to regulate the military is losing sleep over witchcraft in his office! Ladies and gentlemen, the Speaker has requested for our prayers; his life is in danger, he only attracts night mares when he sleeps. Religious leaders even showed up at his office to chase the demons, but it looks like the spirits are refusing to vacate😃”
The exchange has reopened a familiar debate in Uganda, where references to witchcraft and spiritual warfare periodically surface in political discourse despite the country’s constitutional commitment to secular governance.
While belief in traditional spiritual practices remains widespread across many communities, critics argue that senior state officials should ground public decisions and statements in constitutional principles and evidence rather than supernatural claims.
The incident also comes as Parliament continues to face scrutiny from civil society organisations and sections of the opposition over its oversight role, particularly on matters involving alleged human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, military accountability and public expenditure.
For supporters of the Speaker, however, his comments reflected a declaration of faith rather than an endorsement of superstition. They point to his broader message, in which he pledged to confront corruption, resist intimidation and pursue reforms intended to restore Parliament’s credibility.
Whether the episode ultimately strengthens his image as a leader determined to confront unseen opposition or weakens public confidence in the institution he leads remains to be seen.
For now, however, what was intended as an appeal for prayer has instead become one of Uganda’s most polarising political conversations.
It should be remembered that a former speaker cried after Museveni reportedly summoned her to State House and played audios of her instructing a witchdoctor to bewitch and kill the president, his son, wife and brother. (See Details Here).
Museveni has since claimed that Satan attacked his wife Janet, who has been sick for about three months now. (See Details Here and There).
Also, Museveni has revealed how a witchdoctor convinced him to jump over slaughtered chicken three times so as to win his bush war, as detailed HERE.
