MPs-elect: Swearing-in ceremony program out

The swearing-in ceremony for MPs of the 10th Parliament will take place on May 16, 17 and 18 at the South Wing of Parliament building.

However, a notice from the Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige, said due to the limited space, each MP-elect would be accompanied by only five people with parking space availed for one vehicle.

She also stated that the swearing-in event would start at 8.30am on each of the gazetted days. The Clerk however, noted that all the MPs-elect would have to follow the laid down procedures.

"All MPs-elect are informed that invitation cards, car stickers and other documentation will be collected from Parliament starting on Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th May 2016," she said.

Kibirige said access to Parliament House will be through the main entrance on Parliamentary Avenue.

She also said the MPs-elect will swear in as stipulated in the Constitution before they start their duties.

"As a fulfillment of Clauses 4 and 5 of Article 81 of the Constitution, Members of Parliament elect are expected to take and subscribe to the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Members of Parliament," she said.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM), which has been in power since 1986, has 294 MPs out of 458 legislators expected in the 10th Parliament.

The main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change has 36, Democratic Party 14, Uganda People's Congress 6 and Independents 64. Forty-four of the Independents contested in NRM's primary elections.

The election of a Speaker will be the first thing that the House will do when it meets for the first time after 2016 general elections.  The election, to be presided over by the Chief Justice or a Judge designated by the Chief Justice,  is expected to be conducted on May 19.

Then the Speaker, who is likely to be incumbent Rebecca Kadaga since no Opposition MP has indicated interest ever since she was endorsed by her ruling party, will preside at an election of her deputy.

The Speaker is elected by MPs from amongst themselves and is usually a person of considerable parliamentary experience. However, due to the numerical strength of the ruling party in Parliament, its  candidates for the position of Speaker and Deputy Speaker will always have an edge over others in  elections.