Kampala,Uganda – Members of Parliament-elect to Uganda’s 12th Parliament will be sworn in between 13th and 15th May 2026 at Parliament House in Kampala, marking the formal start of the 2026–2031 legislative term.
The swearing-in is mandated by both the Constitution of Uganda and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.
Article 81(4) of the Constitution states: _“Every person elected to Parliament shall take and subscribe the oath of allegiance and the oath of member of Parliament specified in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution.”_
Clause 5 further provides: _“Except for the purpose of taking the oaths referred to in clause (4) of this article, no person shall sit or vote in Parliament before taking and subscribing the oaths.”_
The Rules of Procedure of Parliament reinforce this requirement. Rule 3(1) states: _“Every member shall, before formally taking his or her seat in Parliament, take and subscribe in a manner prescribed by law, the oath of allegiance and oath of a member of parliament as specified in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.”_
Sub-rule 2 adds that no person shall sit or vote in Parliament before taking the oaths, while Sub-rule 3 mandates the Clerk to Parliament to administer the oaths prior to the first sitting of Parliament.
The three-day exercise will see newly elected MPs from across the country formally assume office, after which Parliament will proceed to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, constitute committees, and begin legislative business for the next five years.
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