THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

The Parliament of Uganda derives its mandate and functions from the 1995 Constitution, the Laws of Uganda and its own Rules of Procedure.

The Constitution contains articles which provide for the establishment, composition and functions of the Parliament of Uganda and empowers Parliament "to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda", and "to protect the Constitution and promote democratic governance in Uganda".

The term of Parliament is five years from the date of its first sitting after a general election. The current Parliament (8th Parliament) started in May 2006 and ends in May 2011.

The functions of the Parliament of Uganda are:

1. To pass laws for the good governance of Uganda.
2. To provide, by giving legislative sanctions taxation and acquisition of loans, the means of carrying out the work of Government.
3. To scrutinize Government policy and administration through the following:
1. pre-legislative scrutiny of bills referred to the Parliamentary committees by Parliament
2. scrutinizing of the various objects of expenditure and the sums to be spent on each
3. assuring transparency and accountability in the application of public funds
4. monitoring the implementation of Government programmes and projects

1.  To debate matters of topical interest usually highlighted in the President's State of the Nation address.
2. To vet the appointment of persons nominated by the President under the Constitution or any other enactment.

COMPOSITION OF THE PARLIAMENT

Article 78(1) of the 1995 Constitution prescribes the composition of Parliament as follows:

1. Parliament shall consist of :

a). Members directly elected to represent constituencies;

b). One woman representative for every district;

c). Such numbers of representatives of the army, youth, workers, persons with disabilities and other groups as Parliament may determine; and

d). The Vice-President and Ministers who, if not already elected Members of Parliament, shall be ex-officio members without the right to vote on any issue requiring a vote in Parliament.

2. Upon the expiration of a period of ten years after the commencement of this Constitution and thereafter, every five years, Parliament shall review the representation under paragraph(s) (b) and (c) of clause (1) of this article for the purposes of retaining, increasing, or abolishing any such representation and any other matter incidental to it.

3. The representatives referred to in paragraph (a) of clause (1) of this article shall be elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage and by secret ballot.

4. Parliament shall, by law prescribe the procedure for elections of representatives referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c) of clause (1) of this article.


The 8th Parliament of Uganda comprises of:

215 Constituency Representatives

79 District Woman Representatives

10 Uganda People's Defence Forces Representatives

5 Representatives of the Youth

5 Representatives of Persons with Disabilities

5 Representatives of Workers

13 Ex-officio Members


Parliament is presided over by the Speaker, and in his absence, by the Deputy Speaker both of whom are elected by Members of Parliament from their number.

ADMINISTRATION OF PARLIAMENT

Article 87A of the constitution establishes a Parliamentary Commission, which is a body corporate. The responsibility for the organisation and strategic guidance of the Parliament of Uganda rests within the Commission.
 
It is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament and has seven other members, namely, the Leader of Government Business, Leader of Opposition, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and four Commissioners elected among the Members of Parliament.

 
The Administration of Parliament Act, 1997 provides for the organisation and administration of the Parliament of Uganda and for the employment and remuneration of staff of the Parliamentary Service.

POLITICAL PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT

NATIONAL RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (NRM)

Representatives in Parliament: 211

Website: http://www.nrm.ug

FORUM FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (FDC)

Representatives in Parliament: 38

Website: http://www.fdcuganda.org

UGANDA PEOPLES CONGRESS (UPC)

Representatives in Parliament: 9

Websites: http://www.upcparty.net

DEMOCRATIC PARTY (DP)

Representatives in Parliament:

Website: http://www.dpuganda.net

JEEMA

Representatives in Parliament:

Website:

CP

Representatives in Parliament:

Website:

RECOGNISED PARLIAMENTARY FORA

1.  Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA)
2.  The Parliamentary Network on the World Bank Uganda Chapter (PNoWB)
3.  Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC)
4.  AMANI Forum
5. African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) 

CONTACT US

Public Relations Office