News
MPs applaud accelerated progress on new chambers
According to supervising consultants Ssentongo and Partners, the accelerated progress has been attributed to increased installation of heavy structural steel, coupled with the arrival of key imported specialised inputs.
Speaker Jacob Oboth (right) with deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa during a spot check at the site adjacent to the North Wing on August 26, 2026. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
By: Dedan Kimathi, Journalist @New Vision
_______________
Parliamentary leadership has expressed optimism about the ongoing works on the new chambers.
This followed a spot check by Speaker Jacob Oboth and Leader of Opposition (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi at the site adjacent to the North Wing on August 26, 2026.
The inspection showed that construction progress had reached 63%, with an accelerated programme targeting completion by August 31, 2027, ahead of the contractual completion date of December 30, 2027.
(Credit: Miriam Namutebi) (Credit: Miriam Namutebi) (Credit: Miriam Namutebi) 
According to supervising consultants Ssentongo and Partners, the accelerated progress has been attributed to increased installation of heavy structural steel, coupled with the arrival of key imported specialised inputs.
Heavy structural steel installation has reached the roof apex, while roofing and skylight materials, aluminium and glazing materials, blast-resistant façade materials and all nine lifts are on site.
Roof installation is also underway and is expected to be completed by October 11, 2026. This will allow internal finishes and specialised services to progress in a substantially weather-tight building.
On security, the building will be fitted with custom-designed blast-resistant curtain walls, complemented by a heavy concrete security wall that is currently under construction. This follows a review conducted by security agencies in 2022.
When completed, the project will ease pressure on the old chambers, which were constructed in 1959 to accommodate only 82 Members of Parliament (MPs) at the time.
The number of MPs has since increased to 557, including ex-officio members, while the new facility will provide a 600-seat plenary chamber, additional committee rooms and modern security, broadcasting and building-management systems.
Construction works, which commenced nine years ago, are valued at approximately sh220 billion, according to the revised contract value.
Ssenyonyi speaks out
Heavy structural steel installation has reached the roof apex, while roofing and skylight materials, aluminium and glazing materials, blast-resistant façade materials and all nine lifts are on site.
Roof installation is also underway and is expected to be completed by October 11, 2026. This will allow internal finishes and specialised services to progress in a substantially weather-tight building.
On security, the building will be fitted with custom-designed blast-resistant curtain walls, complemented by a heavy concrete security wall that is currently under construction. This follows a review conducted by security agencies in 2022.
When completed, the project will ease pressure on the old chambers, which were constructed in 1959 to accommodate only 82 Members of Parliament (MPs) at the time.
The number of MPs has since increased to 557, including ex-officio members, while the new facility will provide a 600-seat plenary chamber, additional committee rooms and modern security, broadcasting and building-management systems.
Construction works, which commenced nine years ago, are valued at approximately sh220 billion, according to the revised contract value.
Ssenyonyi speaks out
Speaking to journalists during the tour, Leader of Opposition (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi thanked the new Speaker for taking time off his busy schedule to establish what is happening on the ground, saying that in the previous term, their concerns were paid lip service.
“A lot of money has been spent there. Whenever we sit, and Parliament is full, you see that Members of Parliament literally sit on each other’s laps. That has got to stop. Maybe we would not be renting some of the offices we rent if that building was completed. It is in our interest that it gets to be completed,” Ssenyonyi said.
He added that, from where they stand, either the project gets done or heads shall roll, arguing that it is disingenuous of ROKO to continue lamenting cash flow constraints when it has previously benefited from bailouts.
“There is a time money was passed in the last Parliament, free money extended to ROKO, sh263 billion shillings and Government was saying they were buying shares in ROKO. ROKO is among those companies, among others including Inspire Africa Coffee, Atiak Sugar Factory, Dei Biopharma and so on. But when we went to ROKO together with members of the shadow cabinet, we were denied access because they know,” Ssenyonyi stated.
Previous concerns
The delayed completion of the project and heavy expenditure on rented office space in nearby buildings such as Crown Chambers, Queens Chambers and Kingdom Kampala have previously continued to irk a number of lawmakers.
During plenary on July 7, 2022, Bukhooli Central MP Solomon Silwany argued that, besides the financial burden, the scattered offices pose a safety risk to MPs who frequently have to cross busy roads between the buildings and Parliament.
“I want to inform you that in Kampala alone, we are spending sh8 billion renting. Honourable members renting Queens Chambers, we are spending about sh3.9 billion (annually). All this money is going on rented premises,” Silwany disclosed.
“A lot of money has been spent there. Whenever we sit, and Parliament is full, you see that Members of Parliament literally sit on each other’s laps. That has got to stop. Maybe we would not be renting some of the offices we rent if that building was completed. It is in our interest that it gets to be completed,” Ssenyonyi said.
He added that, from where they stand, either the project gets done or heads shall roll, arguing that it is disingenuous of ROKO to continue lamenting cash flow constraints when it has previously benefited from bailouts.
“There is a time money was passed in the last Parliament, free money extended to ROKO, sh263 billion shillings and Government was saying they were buying shares in ROKO. ROKO is among those companies, among others including Inspire Africa Coffee, Atiak Sugar Factory, Dei Biopharma and so on. But when we went to ROKO together with members of the shadow cabinet, we were denied access because they know,” Ssenyonyi stated.
Previous concerns
The delayed completion of the project and heavy expenditure on rented office space in nearby buildings such as Crown Chambers, Queens Chambers and Kingdom Kampala have previously continued to irk a number of lawmakers.
During plenary on July 7, 2022, Bukhooli Central MP Solomon Silwany argued that, besides the financial burden, the scattered offices pose a safety risk to MPs who frequently have to cross busy roads between the buildings and Parliament.
“I want to inform you that in Kampala alone, we are spending sh8 billion renting. Honourable members renting Queens Chambers, we are spending about sh3.9 billion (annually). All this money is going on rented premises,” Silwany disclosed.