PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

The unicameral Parliament of Uganda is the country's legislative body.

The most significant of the Ugandan Parliament's functions is to pass laws which will provide good governance in the country. The government ministers are bound to answer to the people's representatives on the floor of the house. Through the various parliamentary committees, parliament scrutinises government programmes, particularly as outlined in the State of the Nation Address by the President. The fiscal issues of the government, such as, taxation and loans need the sanction of the parliament, after appropriate debate.[1]

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1Composition
2History
2.1First Parliament (1962–1963)
2.2Second Parliament (1963–1971)
2.3Third Parliament (1979–1980)
2.4Fourth Parliament (1980–1985)
2.5Fifth Parliament (1986–1996)
2.6Sixth Parliament (1996–2001)
2.7Seventh Parliament (2001–2006)
2.8Eighth Parliament (2006–2011)
2.9Ninth Parliament (2011–2016)
2.10Tenth Parliament (2016–present)
3References
4See also
5External links

Composition

The Ugandan parliament is composed of 238 Constituency Representatives, 112 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, and 13 ex officio Members.[2]

History

The Ugandan Parliament was established in 1962, soon after the country's independence.[3]

First Parliament (1962–1963)

This body was then known as the Legislative Council (LEGCO). It had 92 members and was presided over, as Speaker, by Sir John Bowes Griffin, a British lawyer and former Ugandan Chief Justice.

Second Parliament (1963–1971)

During this period, Prime Minister Milton Obote abrogated the constitution and declared himself President of Uganda in 1966. This parliament also witnessed the abolition of Uganda's traditional kingdoms and the declaration of Uganda as a republic. The Speaker during the Second Parliament was Narendra M. Patel, a Ugandan of Indian descent. This Parliament ended when Idi Amin overthrew Milton Obote's government in January 1971.

Third Parliament (1979–1980)

Following the overthrow of Idi Amin in April 1979, a new legislative body known as the Uganda Legislative Council was established. With an initial membership of 30, the membership was later increased to 120. This was the Third Parliament and was chaired by Professor Edward Rugumayo. This legislative body continued to function until the general elections of December 1980.

Fourth Parliament (1980–1985)

This period marked the return to power of Milton Obote and the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), following the disputed national elections of 1980. The Speaker of the Fourth Parliament was Francis Butagira, a Harvard-trained lawyer. the Fourth Parliament ended when, General Bazillio Okello overthrew Obote and the UPC government in 1985.

Fifth Parliament (1986–1996)

Known as the National Resistance Council (NRC), the Fifth Parliament was established following the end of the Ugandan 1981-1985 guerrilla war. Starting with 38 historical members of the National Resistance Movement and National Resistance Army, the legislative body was gradually expanded to include representatives from around the country. The Speaker during the Fifth Parliament was Yoweri Museveni, who also concurrently served as the President of Uganda.

Sixth Parliament (1996–2001

The Sixth Parliament was constituted during one-party rule (NRM). James Wapakhabulo served as Speaker from 1996 until 1998. From 1998 until 2001, Francis Ayume, a member of Parliament from Koboko District, served as Speaker.

Seventh Parliament (2001–2006)

The Seventh Parliament was presided over as Speaker by Edward Ssekandi. The most controversial legislation passed during this period was the amendment of the Constitution to remove presidential term limits.

Eighth Parliament (2006–2011)

See also: List of members of the eighth Parliament of Uganda

This was a continuation of the Seventh Parliament, with Edward Ssekandi as Speaker and Rebecca Kadaga as Deputy Speaker.

e • d Summary of the 23 February 2006 National Assembly of Uganda election results

PartiesVotes%Constituency seatsDistrict woman reps.Indirect seatsTotal seats

National Resistance Movement1424914205

Forum for Democratic Change2710-37

Uganda People's Congress9--9

Democratic Party8--8

Conservative Party1--1

Justice Forum1--1

Independents2610137

Vacant1--1

Uganda People's Defence Force Representatives10

Ex-officio members10

Total (turnout 72 %)2156915319

Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union

Note on the Distribution of seats: – Constituency seats refers to directly elected constituency representatives (215) – District Woman Reps. refers to directly elected District Woman Representatives (69) – Indirect seats include: Representatives of the Youth (5), Representatives of Persons with Disabilities (5), and Representatives of Workers (5)

Ninth Parliament (2011–2016)

See also: List of members of the ninth Parliament of Uganda

The Ninth Parliament was presided over by Rebecca Kadaga as Speaker, and Jacob Oulanyah as Deputy Speaker.

e • d Summary of the 18 February 2011 National Assembly of Uganda election results

PartiesConstituency seatsDistrict woman reps.Indirect seatsTotal seats

National Resistance Movement1648613263

Forum for Democratic Change2311—34

Democratic Party111—12

Uganda People's Congress73—10

Conservative Party1——1

Justice Forum1——1

Independents3011243

Uganda People's Defence Force Representatives 1010

Vacant1 1

Total (turnout %)23811225375

Source: Electoral Commission of Uganda, African Elections Database

Note on the Distribution of seats: – Constituency seats refers to directly elected constituency representatives (237) – District Woman Reps. refers to directly elected District Woman Representatives (112) – Indirect seats include: UPDF Representatives (10), Representatives of the Youth (5), Representatives of Persons with Disabilities (5), and Representatives of Workers (5)

Tenth Parliament (2016–present)

See also: Ugandan general election, 2016 and List of members of the tenth Parliament of Uganda

In the Tenth Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga and Jacob Oulanyah remained in their posts as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

PartyVotes%Seats

DirectWomenSpecialTotal+/–

National Resistance Movement1998410293+30

Forum for Democratic Change297036+2

Democratic Party132015+3

Uganda People's Congress4206–4

Independents4417566+23

Uganda People's Defence Force––––10100

Invalid/blank votes––––––

Total28911225426+51

Registered voters/turnout15,277,198–––––

Source: EC

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