Kampala, Uganda: Parliament of Uganda on Wednesday witnessed a festive atmosphere as a total of 184 Members of Parliament-elect officially took oath on the opening day of the swearing-in exercise for Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
The colourful ceremony, presided over by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige, started shortly after 8:00am at Parliament Chambers in Kampala, attracting legislators, family members, political supporters and dignitaries.
The event marked the official beginning of the 12th Parliament, with legislators expected to serve during the 2026–2031 term.
Newly sworn-in MPs paused to take photographs with relatives and supporters before outlining their legislative priorities for the new term, with many focusing on poverty alleviation, service delivery and household income improvement.
Lillian Aber, the Kitgum District Woman Representative, said her major focus would be agriculture and improving household incomes. “The most important thing is that my focus is on agriculture because that is the backbone of my people,” Aber said.
She pledged to continue supporting commercial agriculture, particularly coffee growing and value addition initiatives aimed at attracting investment and industrialisation in Kitgum.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Akello Akori said legislators aligned to the ruling National Resistance Movement would continue pursuing the government’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
“When we came into the 11th Parliament, we wanted to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of this country. The journey we started in 2021 is what we want to consolidate in 2026,” Akello said.
She revealed that leaders in Agago were encouraging farmers to transition from subsistence farming to commercial cash crops such as coffee and bananas.
“Kisanja Hakuna Kulala”
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among thanked Ugandans for entrusting leaders with responsibility and urged legislators to focus on service delivery.
Among also commended security agencies for maintaining peace and stability during the electoral process and transition period.
Referring to President Yoweri Museveni’s message delivered during his swearing-in ceremony, Among reminded MPs that the new term would demand hard work and closer attention to ordinary citizens.
“As you heard the message yesterday, this is ‘Kisanja Hakuna Kulala’ [a term of no sleep]. We must work for wanainchi and concentrate on what affects local people,” Ms Among said.
She described the outgoing 11th Parliament as one of the most representative legislatures Uganda has had.
“The 11th Parliament has been a very good Parliament. We have done a lot of work and I can tell you it is one of the most representative parliaments we have ever had,” she added.
Robinah Nabbanja, who was sworn in as Kakumiro District Woman Representative, credited Museveni for mentoring her political career. “I am what I am because of the President. He identified me when I was still a young woman at the age of 26,” Nabbanja said.
She said fighting poverty through the Parish Development Model (PDM) would remain one of her top priorities in the new Parliament.
Nabbanja also defended her tenure as Prime Minister, citing increased monitoring of government programmes and infrastructure projects across the country.
Veteran legislator Chris Baryomunsi described the ceremony as another milestone in his long parliamentary career.
Baryomunsi pledged to continue advocating for safe water access, healthcare, decent housing, education and wealth creation programmes.
Opposition legislator Anne Adeke Ebaju said the 12th Parliament should begin discussing Uganda’s political transition.
Workers MP Annet Birungi said pushing for a national minimum wage would be among her first priorities in Parliament.
Former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said she would continue focusing on industrialisation, education and infrastructure development projects in Kamuli District.
“We are just continuing the work we have been doing, especially on construction and industrial development,” Kadaga said.
She added that several development projects in the district, including an airport project, were progressing steadily.
Kadaga also endorsed Museveni’s “Kisanja Hakuna Kulala” message, saying leaders must address service delivery gaps highlighted during campaigns.
The swearing-in exercise will continue until Friday, May 15, ahead of the first sitting of the 12th Parliament scheduled for May 25, 2026.
Credit: ChimpReports
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