Ministers Sworn In as Ex Officio Members of Parliament

Nineteen ministers recently took their Oaths of Allegiance and of Member of Parliament, marking a significant step in their official capacities within the legislative body. This formal swearing-in follows their prior approval by the Appointments Committee.

These individuals serve as ex officio Members of Parliament. This designation means they are appointed as ministers by the President and, while integral to government business in Parliament, they do not represent any particular electoral constituency. A key constitutional provision, Article 78(4) of the Constitution, clarifies that while they are members, they do not possess voting rights on issues requiring a parliamentary decision.

The ceremony, presided over by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, was conducted in accordance with Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. This rule mandates that no Member can officially take their seat without first taking the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of a Member of Parliament.

Among those taking the oath was Hon. Sanjay Tanna, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, with Speaker Oboth expressing high expectations for his role in advancing Uganda’s trade and industrialization agenda. Other notable figures sworn in included Hon. Sam Mayanja (Attorney General), Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka (Minister of Defence), Hon. Balaam Barugahara (Local Government), Hon. Cissy Mulondo (State Minister for Finance), Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba (Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance), Hon. Monica Musenero (Energy and Mineral Development), and Hon. Tom Butime (Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities).

This formal process is crucial for ministers to effectively discharge their parliamentary duties. These duties include presenting government proposals, responding to inquiries from other Members, and actively participating in parliamentary debates. The presence and participation of these ministers are vital for the functioning of government within Parliament. In a related development, the Leader of the Opposition also presented a 30-member Shadow Cabinet, tasked with scrutinizing government actions.

Source: Parliament of Uganda