Uganda's new MPs gear up for oath-taking ceremony in May

PARLIAMENT - The wait is almost over for Uganda’s newly elected legislators. Parliament, on March 23, 2026, released the schedule for the swearing-in of members of the 12th Parliament.

According to the schedule issued by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige, the swearing-in exercise will run from May 13 to May 15, starting at 8:00am each day.

By the end of the three-day exercise, all 529 MPs are expected to have taken the oath of office, paving the way for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Strict guidelines for the exercise require each Member of Parliament-elect to be accompanied by three people during the oath-taking. However, persons with disabilities will be allowed an additional companion.

Members will take both the oath of allegiance and the oath of Member of Parliament.
Uganda held its general elections this year on January 15, during which voters elected the President and Members of Parliament across the country.

High-profile leaders expected to take the oath on the first day include Vice President Jessica Alupo, who also serves as Katakwi district woman MP, and Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, the Bukedea district woman MP.

Others include health minister Ruth Aceng, the Lira City Woman MP-elect, Gen. Moses Ali, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and MP-elect for Adjumani West, and Milly Babirye Babalanda, the Budiope West County MP and Minister for the Presidency.

Also expected are NRM eastern region vice chairperson David Calvin Echodu, the Soroti City West MP-elect, and Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Kamuli district woman MP-elect.

“Each member-elect of parliament is requested to collect his/her invitation card, program booklet and biodata form from the office of the clerk on Monday, 4th and Tuesday, 5th of May 2026 between 9:00am to 5:00PM,” reads the communication from the Clerk to MPs-elect.

Meanwhile, outgoing MPs have been given time to vacate their offices to allow incoming legislators to begin their five-year term.

Sources indicate that many MPs-elect are already in Kampala making preparations, including shopping for attire for the swearing-in ceremony.

Pingire County MP-elect Peter Ojiit, an independent, said he is already in Kampala looking for accommodation so that he is ready to begin work after being sworn in.
“I am not flying abroad to buy clothes, for me I am in Kampala looking for a house. I have decent clothes that I will put on that day,” Ojiit said.

Regarding the requirement for three accompanying persons, Ojiit said the number was too small.

“How I wish it was 10 people because we need some to cheer on since winning an MP seat is not an easy task,” Ojiit, who defeated Fred Opolot, said.

Soroti City East MP-elect Moses Okia Attan said he is eager to be sworn in and begin delivering on his mandate.

“I have no money for any celebration because I went through hard times when my seat was forcefully grabbed from me,” Attan, who lost a previous by-election to Herbert Edmund Ariko, said.