184 MPs Take Oath as Uganda's 12th Parliament Opens

The Parliament of Uganda buzzed with activity and celebration on Wednesday as 184 newly elected Members of Parliament began their oath-taking ceremony, marking the beginning of the 12th Parliament. The event, held at the Parliament Building, commenced early in the morning and was attended by MPs-elect, their families, and supporters.

Presided over by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige, the ceremony was a blend of official duties and cultural festivity. The Crane Performance Troupe entertained attendees with traditional music and dances from various regions of Uganda.

Newly sworn-in legislators shared their priorities for the upcoming term, with many highlighting poverty alleviation, enhancing household incomes, and improving service delivery. Hon. Lillian Aber emphasized a focus on agriculture and coffee value addition in Kitgum District, while Beatrice Akello Akori of Agago District spoke about consolidating socio-economic transformation by encouraging the shift to cash crops like coffee and bananas.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among urged the new MPs to dedicate themselves to service, echoing President Yoweri Museveni’s ‘Kisanja Hakuna Kulala’ (no sleep) message, which calls for hard work and focus on the needs of ordinary Ugandans. She commended the 11th Parliament as one of Uganda’s most representative legislatures.

Notable remarks also came from Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, who credited President Museveni for her political career and stressed the continued importance of the Parish Development Model in fighting poverty. Chris Baryomunsi pledged to expand access to essential services like water, healthcare, and education, alongside wealth creation initiatives. Anne Adeke Ebaju suggested that the 12th Parliament should address the transition of the current regime, while Hon. Annet Birungi aims to establish a minimum wage. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga affirmed her commitment to continuing development projects in her constituency, including industrial parks and infrastructure.

The swearing-in process is scheduled to conclude on Friday, May 15, 2026, paving the way for the first official sitting of the 12th Parliament on May 25, 2026. This information is based on a report from the Parliament of Uganda.