Non MPs can visit Parliament for a tour of the Building or to attend plenary or committee sessions.
Admission to Parliament is free to the public, institutions, tourists and other individuals and groups.
Anyone wishing to visit Parliament ordinarily/formally presents a written request to the Clerk to Parliament who will delegate the Department of Communication and Public Affairs, which will advise them on the best time to visit and other requirements needed.
Visitors to Parliament should ensure that they are dressed decently.
Section 5 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act says, “No stranger shall be entitled as a right to enter or to remain within the precincts of the Assembly.” The same Act prohibits strangers from getting into the public galleries with a briefcase, camera, tape recorder, transistor radio, a mobile telephone or any electronic device. Firearms must also be surrendered to security officers at the entrance. In addition, while in the galleries, strangers are not permitted to smoke, read a book or newspaper.
Committees of Parliament ordinarily sit starting at 10.00a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The sittings will have to be adjourned to allow members attend the plenary that sits starting at 2.00p.m. on those days.
However, some committees may schedule meetings on Monday and Friday as well. In addition, committees may schedule field trips, which could include sittings outside their normal schedules and may include weekends.
The term "Stranger" is given to all persons other than the President of Uganda, Vice President, Speaker, ministers and ministers of state, MPs and staff of the House/Parliament.
Plenary ordinarily sits in the Parliament Chamber at Parliament House and in other places/venue as the Speaker may designate.
The Plenary ordinarily sits starting at 2.00p.m. to 7.00p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Parliament Rules however, permit the Speaker to adjust the time and days of sitting of the House beyond what is ordinarily allowed especially considering the business before it.
The foundation stone for the Parliament Building was laid on 18 December 1956, by the then Governor of Uganda, Sir Andrew Cohen.
Construction of the main building commenced in 1958. On 05 October 1962 the then Prime Minster, Dr Apollo Milton Obote, laid the foundation stone for the Independence Arch, at the entrance to the Parliament Building.
The current 11th Parliament as at 03 May 2023 comprises of:
Constituency Representatives - 352
District Woman Representatives - 146
Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces' Representatives - 10
Youth Representatives - 5
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Representatives - 5
Workers' Representatives - 5
Older Persons' Representatives - 5
Ex Officio Members - 28
TOTAL: 556 MEMBERS
Parliament is presided over by the Speaker, and in her absence, the Deputy Speaker both of whom are elected by Members of Parliament from their number.
Parliament conducts its business in both Committees and the Plenary. Parliament sets up Sectoral Committees (at the beginning of each session), Standing Committees (at the beginning of a new term of Parliament, and again after two and half years) and other Committees such as Select Committees and Ad hoc Committees to help in handling different matters before it.
Members of Parliament transact business through these committees before it is considered by the Plenary.
Article 90 (1) of the Constitution states “Parliament shall appoint Standing Committees and other committees necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions.”
The general functions include;
- To discuss and make recommendations on all Bills laid before Parliament;
- To initiate any Bill within their respective areas of competence;
- To assess and evaluate activities of government and other bodies;
- To carry out relevant research in their respective fields; and
- To report to Parliament on their functions
This is money approved by Parliament to cater for the activities and programmes of government ministries and departments until the expiry of four months from the beginning of the financial year or the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act.
With the passing of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, Parliament approves the National Budget before the end of the financial year, and hence does not consider and approve the Vote on Account any more.
The Mace is an ornamental club made of brass carried by the Sergeant-At-Arms, to whom is assigned the duty of attending to the Speaker of Parliament.
It symbolises authority, which the State has vested in the Speaker.
The Mace is an important symbol of authority bestowed on parliaments.
Without the Mace in position, Parliament cannot sit as it would have no power to debate and pass laws for order, development and good governance of the country.