Ex-officio ministers take oath at Parliament
Parliament is constitutionally required to administer the oath to ex-officio members, including officials such as the Attorney General, before they can participate in parliamentary proceedings.
Parliament during the session on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (Credit: Maria Mamala)
____________
Nineteen Ex-officio ministers this morning (June 10) took oath as Members of Parliament (ex-officios) during a session chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth. Without mentioning names, the speaker said two of the ex-official ministers were not available for the oath today.
The officials had earlier taken their oath of allegiance and office before President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe on Monday following their appointment to Cabinet.
During the parliamentary ceremony, the ministers were handed copies of the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, marking their formal entry into the House as ex-officio Members of Parliament.
Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
Parliament is constitutionally required to administer the oath to ex-officio members, including officials such as the Attorney General, before they can participate in parliamentary proceedings.
After taking and subscribing to the oath, the ministers, who are not directly elected Members of Parliament, formally become Members of Parliament for purposes of attending sittings and carrying out their parliamentary duties.
Under Article 78 of the Constitution, ministers who are not elected Members of Parliament sit in Parliament as ex-officio members. Although they participate in debates and proceedings of parliament, they do not vote.
Some of the ex-officios, who have taken oath include Simon Mulongo, the State Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations; Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister of ICT and National Guidance; Beatrice Anywar, State Minister for Environment; Alice Kaboyo, the State Minister for the Luweero-Rwenzori Triangle; Siraji Musa Ali, State Minister for works; David Bahati , State Minister for Industry; Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Public Service; Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Minister of State for Trade, and Magode Ikuya, the state minister for East African Affairs.
John Chrysostom Muyingo, Minister of State for Education and Sports (Higher Education). (Credit: Maria Wamala)
Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, Minister of Local Government. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
(Credit: Maria Wamala)
Dr Monica Musenero, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
(Credit: Maria Wamala)
(Credit: Maria Wamala)
(Credit: Maria Wamala)
For Bahati, Oboth described him as a survivor without mentioning the reason, drawing laughter and applause from the packed chamber.
On Tanna, Oboth said; "We expect more investors." On Ikuya, Oboth described him as an "encyclopedia of some sort" respected by many. "Please, when you meet him, don't greet him with a cap on the head," Oboth said.
The light-hearted exchange helped set a cordial tone as the newly sworn-in ex-officio members took their seats in the chamber for the first time in the 12th Parliament.