Parliamentary Size Swells to 555 with New Cabinet Appointments

The composition of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has seen a significant increase, now comprising 555 members. This expansion is attributed to the recent appointment of 26 individuals as ex-officio Members of Parliament (MPs) within the newly unveiled 83-member Cabinet by President Museveni.

These 26 appointees are individuals who, upon being named as ministers or ministers of state, automatically become members of Parliament without having been elected to a legislative seat. This brings the total number of MPs from 529 to the current 555.

While these ex-officio members are integral to parliamentary proceedings, they hold specific limitations. The Constitution prevents them from voting on matters requiring a formal division in the House. However, their participation is crucial in plenary sessions, where they engage in debates, present government business, defend policies, and respond to queries from elected legislators.

Furthermore, ex-officio members play a vital role in parliamentary committees. They are tasked with defending ministerial budgets, advocating for government programs, and explaining Bills presented before Parliament. The growing size of the legislature comes at a time when discussions about the financial implications of maintaining a large Parliament, one of the largest in the East African region, continue to be a subject of public debate regarding its sustainability.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ex-officios-increase-parliament-size-to-555-5480572