The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parliament has administered oaths to 131 members-elect of the eleventh parliament on the first day of the four-day-long ceremonies.
Although the house had planned to administer oaths for 132 legislator’s on the first day of the exercise, two of the elected members did not turn up. They include Kinkizi West MP Dr Chris Baryomunsi and Kabarole Woman MP Victoria Rusoke Businge who sought permission to skip the activities due to other engagements.
However, Parliament also accepted a requested to bring forward the oaths for Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonnyi is scheduled to travel out of the country on official duties, assigned by the National Unity Platform. Ssenyonyi was initially expected to take oath on Thursday, May 20, 2021.
Of the 131 MPs sworn-in on the first day, two are representatives of Older Persons in Parliament, a constituency newly created by the 10th Parliament among the Special Interest Groups. They include Catherine Akumu Mavenjina for Northern Uganda and Peninah Busingye Kabingani for Central Uganda. The others were two representatives of the workers, two representatives of Persons with Disabilities and two representatives of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), while the rest were Women and directly elected members.
Each of them took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament, a constitutional requirement before they officially start their five-year term of office. Upon taking the oaths, the MPs were handed instruments of power, including the Uganda Constitution and the Parliament Rules of Procedure.
Meanwhile Rita Atukwasa, the Mbarara City Woman MP said that the eleventh parliament should ensure the promotion of democracy and more financial support for agriculture initiatives, while Moses Attan, the Soroti East Division MP said that he will speak out for health and education services in the country.
Dr Charles Ayume, the Koboko Municipality MP said that parliament needs to address unemployment, especially among the youth by putting in place laws that create job opportunities. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, the Nakawa East MP said that parliament needs to put focus on the promotion of human rights and health.
Joyce Bagala, the Mityana Woman MP also said that health is going to be one of her areas of focus in the eleventh parliament.
Henry Bagiire, the Bunya County MP said parliament needs to prioritize infrastructure development.
The swearing-in process continues on Tuesday and some of the notable MPs scheduled to be sworn in are Kamuli Woman MP Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, UPDF representative Peter Elwelu, Buyanja County MP Matia Kasaija, Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu and others. At the end of the four days, parliament will welcome the highest number of legislators having moved from 426 in the tenth Parliament to 529 after the recent polls.
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