Members of Parliament-elect on Wednesday officially began taking oath to usher in Uganda’s 12th Parliament, in a colorful ceremony marked by pomp, traditional dance performances and military pageantry at Parliament Building in Kampala.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the parliamentary elections held on January 15, 2026, which ushered in a new crop of legislators alongside several returning lawmakers.
The event commenced at exactly 8:00am with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Band performing both the Uganda National Anthem and the East African Anthem as legislators, invited guests, political leaders and family members gathered in the parliamentary precincts.
At 8:05am, the Clerk to Parliament formally opened the proceedings by reading the Proclamation and citing the constitutional and legal provisions that grant him authority to administer oaths to Members-elect.
The first legislator to take oath was Enos Asiimwe Kinywamachunda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Member of Parliament-elect for Kabula County in Lyantonde District.
Kinywamachunda took both the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament as stipulated under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Uganda.
Under the Oath of Allegiance, Members swear to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Uganda” and to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”
In the Oath of Member of Parliament, legislators pledge to “give faithful service to Parliament” and to “support and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.”
Following Kinywamachunda, veteran politician and former Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Ababakhar Odongo, who was elected as an Independent Member of Parliament for Orungo County in Amuria District, took oath before the Clerk to Parliament.
He was followed by First Lady Sylvia Alinaitwe Tumuheirwe, the NRM Woman Representative-elect for Rukiga District, whose appearance drew excitement from sections of attendees gathered in and around Parliament.
The atmosphere around Parliament remained festive throughout the morning, with cultural dance troupes entertaining guests while supporters of various legislators waved party colors and celebrated the beginning of a new parliamentary term.
Security around Parliament Building was visibly heightened, with police and other security agencies deployed to manage crowds and ensure smooth movement of dignitaries and legislators entering the premises.
The swearing-in exercise is expected to continue through Thursday, May 14, before concluding on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Parliament officials said the staggered arrangement is intended to ensure orderly administration of the oaths to all Members-elect from across the country.
The inauguration of the 12th Parliament marks the official start of a new five-year legislative term during which lawmakers will debate and pass laws, scrutinize government expenditure and represent citizens’ interests.
The new Parliament is expected to feature both experienced legislators and a significant number of first-time MPs following highly competitive elections held earlier this year.
Political observers say the composition of the 12th Parliament could shape key national debates on governance, economic transformation, youth employment, infrastructure development and constitutional reforms in the coming years.
The swearing-in ceremony is being broadcast live on selected local television and radio stations, as well as on Parliament’s official social media platforms, allowing Ugandans across the country to follow the proceedings in real time.
More legislators are expected to take oath in subsequent sessions before Parliament eventually convenes for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, a process that traditionally signals the full operationalization of a new parliamentary term.
