Politics 30 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
12th Parliament Looms: Budget Approval and Swearing-In Mark End of 11th House
The 11th Ugandan Parliament concludes its term by late April with the approval of the FY 2026/2027 National Budget, amid directives for better pay for teachers and security forces. Newly elected MPs will be sworn in from May 13-15, 2026, paving the way for leadership elections and a fresh legislative start. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/what-awaits-12th-parliament-as-11th-house-winds-up-5408102
The 11th Parliament of Uganda is set to wrap up its five-year term by the end of April, primarily tasked with passing the National Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year. Speaker Anita Among has urged committees and government agencies to submit all required documents promptly to meet this deadline before dissolution.
President Museveni chaired the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, emphasizing priorities like improved remuneration for teachers and security personnel, as communicated by Government Chief Whip Hamson Denis Obua and State Minister Henry Musasizi.
Preparations for the 12th Parliament are underway, with the Clerk’s Office ready to welcome new MPs starting in May 2026. Swearing-in ceremonies for oaths of allegiance and membership are scheduled for May 13-15 at Parliament House, from 8am to 6:30pm daily. Each MP-elect can bring three guests, or four if needing disability assistance, and must collect invitation cards and biodata forms on May 4-5.
Post-swearing-in, Parliament will elect a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker before presenting the FY 2026/2027 budget. Contenders include Lydia Wanyoto, Persis Namuganza, Norbert Mao, and Florence Akiiki Asiimwe.
Several bills, such as the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and others, were withdrawn on March 12 and will lapse, requiring fresh introduction if revived. Contentious laws like the annulled Computer Misuse Act drew court challenges, with the Attorney General halting related arrests.
Tensions marked debates on bills like the UPDF (Amendment) and National Coffee (Amendment), leading to physical altercations, including an incident involving MPs Francis Zaake and Anthony Akol. Unity shone in passing the Anti-Homosexuality law, backed across aisles.
Corruption allegations surfaced via the ‘Uganda Parliament Exhibition’ and youth marches, spotlighting Shs1.7 billion in ‘service awards’ to four Parliamentary Commission members, later deemed legal by court. Several MPs passed away during the term, including Jacob Oulanyah, Sarah Mateke, and Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Looking ahead, the draft budget totals Shs84.209 trillion, with tax revenue at Shs44.5 trillion and PAYE threshold raised to Shs335,000, exempting lower earners.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)