Members of Parliament-elect on Tuesday began taking the oath of allegiance and oath of office, marking the official commencement of Uganda’s 12th Parliament amid pomp, dance, and heightened activity at Parliament Building in Kampala.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the January 15, 2026, general elections and will continue until Friday, May 15, 2026.
The day’s proceedings started at exactly 8:00 am with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) band playing the National Anthem and the East African Anthem.
At 8:05 am, the Clerk to Parliament read the official proclamation and cited the constitutional provisions empowering him to administer the oaths to Members-elect.
The first legislator to take the oath was Enos Asiimwe Kinywamachunda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) MP-elect for Kabula County in Lyantonde District.
Standing before the Clerk, Asiimwe took both the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament as stipulated under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Uganda.
He was followed by Jeje Ababakhar Odongo, the Independent MP-elect for Orungo County in Amuria District, and later Sylvia Alinaitwe Tumuheirwe, the NRM Woman Representative-elect for Rukiga District.
Under the constitutional process, Members-elect swear to defend the Constitution, remain faithful to the Republic of Uganda, and faithfully serve Parliament before assuming office.
After taking the oath, legislators signed the oath book, underwent biometric registration and took official photographs before speaking to the media.
The swearing-in ceremony attracted celebrations from supporters and colleagues, with groups of legislators arriving at Parliament accompanied by traditional dancers, drummers and political mobilisers.
The morning session also saw several senior government officials take oath, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, the Woman Representative-elect for Katakwi District, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Third Deputy Prime Minister Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali.
Prime Minister Nabbanja, who also serves as the Woman Representative for Kakumiro District, officially closed the morning session after taking her oath.
By the lunch break, a total of 97 Members of Parliament had been sworn in.
The ongoing ceremony is being broadcast live on selected television and radio stations as well as Parliament’s social media platforms.