A festive atmosphere filled the grounds of the Parliament of Uganda on Wednesday as up to 184 Members of Parliament-elect took oath on day one of three ahead of the commencement of the 12th Parliament.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Parliament Building and presided over by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige, began shortly after 8:00am, with MPs-elect arriving alongside spouses, children, relatives, supporters and political aides.
The colourful event blended official protocol with celebration, as cultural troupe Crane Performance entertained guests with traditional music and dance performances featuring drums, xylophones, adungu and multicultural dances from different regions of the country.
Newly sworn-in legislators paused to take photographs with family members and supporters before speaking to the press about their priorities for the new parliamentary term, with many pledging to focus on poverty alleviation, household income and service delivery.
Hon. Lillian Aber (NRM, Kitgum District Woman Representative) said her focus in the new term would largely centre on agriculture and household incomes in Kitgum District.
“The most important thing is that my focus is on agriculture because that is the backbone of my people,” Aber said.
She noted that she would continue supporting farmers to engage in commercial agriculture, especially coffee growing and value addition, while also attracting investors to spur industrialisation.
Similarly, the Agago district Woman Representative, Beatrice Akello Akori said legislators aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) would continue pursuing the government’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
“When we came into the 11th Parliament, we wanted to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of this country. The journey we started in 2021 is what we want to consolidate in 2026,” Akello said.
She revealed that leaders in Agago are encouraging farmers to shift from subsistence food crops to cash crops such as coffee and bananas in order to improve household incomes.
‘Kisanja Akuna Kulala’
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among used the occasion to thank voters for entrusting her with leadership and urged the new legislators to dedicate themselves to service delivery.
She also commended security agencies for maintaining peace and stability in the country.
Referring to President Yoweri Museveni’s message to leaders, Among reminded MPs that the new term would require hard work and close attention to the local person.
“As you heard the message yesterday, this is ‘Kisanja Hakuna Kulala’ [a term of no sleep]. We must work for wanainchi and concentrate on what affects local people,” she said.
Among described the outgoing 11th Parliament as one of the most representative legislatures Uganda has had.
“The 11th Parliament has been a very good Parliament. We have done a lot of work and I can tell you it is one of the most representative parliaments we have ever had,” she added.
The Kakumiro District Woman Representative, Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, attributed her political journey to President Museveni, whom she credited for identifying her leadership potential at a young age.
“I am what I am because of the President. He identified me when I was still a young woman at the age of 26,” Nabbanja said.
Nabbanja said the fight against poverty would remain central in the new parliamentary term, especially through the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The Prime Minister also defended her record in office, pointing to increased monitoring of government programmes and infrastructure projects across the country.
For Chris Baryomunsi, (NRM, Kinkinzi County East) Wednesday’s ceremony marked yet another milestone in a long parliamentary career.
Baryomunsi pledged to intensify efforts in expanding access to safe water, healthcare, decent housing and education, while also supporting wealth creation initiatives.
Anne Adeke Ebaju (FDC, Soroti District Woman Representative) said the 12th Parliament should talk about transition from the current regime to the next one.
Workers Representative, Hon. Annet Birungi said her first duty as an MP will be to establish a minimum wage for Ugandans.
Hon. Rebecca Kadaga (NRM, Kamuli District Woman Representative) said she would continue focusing on ongoing development projects in her constituency, including industrial parks, education and infrastructure development.
“We are just continuing the work we have been doing, especially on construction and industrial development,” Kadaga said.
She noted that several projects in the area were progressing well, including the airport project expected to be opened this year.
Kadaga also welcomed President Museveni’s “Kisanja no sleep” message, saying leaders must respond to gaps in service delivery identified during the campaigns.
The swearing-in exercise continues until Friday, 15 May 2026 in preparation for the first sitting of the 12th Parliament on 25 May 2026.
