Over 180 MPs Take Oath as 12th Parliament Sets Focus on Corruption, Poverty Fight

Parliament on Tuesday commenced the swearing-in ceremony for Members-elect to the 12th Parliament, marking the beginning of a new legislative term defined by bold promises to tackle corruption, reduce poverty, improve service delivery and pursue political and constitutional reforms over the next five years.

A total of 184 legislators took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament on the first day, in a ceremony that brought together both seasoned lawmakers and fresh entrants. The occasion served not only as a constitutional requirement but also as a platform for leaders to outline their legislative priorities and vision for their constituencies and the country.

Among the first to take oath was Speaker Anita Among, who returns as Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea District. Shortly after being sworn in, Among defended the record of the 11th Parliament, describing it as one of the most productive in Uganda’s history.

She praised security agencies for maintaining stability in the country and urged legislators to remain focused on service delivery to citizens. Emphasizing the need for diligence and commitment, she reiterated that the new term would demand hard work and a people-centered approach.

Among also expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for the trust placed in her leadership, noting that the opportunity to serve as Speaker remains a significant milestone in her political journey.

Aringa South County MP Yorke Alioni, who has declared his intention to contest for the Speakership, used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to fighting corruption within Parliament. He said the anti-corruption drive has gained renewed momentum, citing recent support from top government leadership.

Alioni stressed that corruption remains one of the biggest obstacles to effective governance and pledged to ensure accountability within the legislative arm of government. He vowed that under his leadership, Parliament would take a firm stance against any form of malpractice.

Soroti Woman MP Anna Adeke raised concerns about Uganda’s political future, calling on the 12th Parliament to address the sensitive issue of political transition. She warned that failure to manage the transition process carefully could create uncertainty and instability.

Adeke emphasized the need for open and structured dialogue on governance and succession, arguing that the matter is already a subject of public concern and should not be ignored by lawmakers.

Lira City Woman MP Ruth Aceng highlighted corruption as a key barrier to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. She said the country’s aspiration to attain and sustain middle-income status can only be realized if corruption is decisively addressed.

Aceng called for stronger oversight mechanisms and stricter enforcement of accountability measures to ensure public resources are used effectively.

Kitgum Woman MP Lillian Aber outlined agriculture and household income generation as her top priorities. She said her focus would be on promoting commercial farming, supporting farmers with improved inputs and encouraging value addition to agricultural products.

Aber noted that agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods in her constituency and that targeted interventions could significantly improve household incomes and reduce poverty levels.

Newly elected Mawogola North MP Aine Sodo thanked voters in Sembabule for entrusting him with leadership and pledged to deliver tangible development results. He expressed optimism about working closely with constituents to implement programs that will uplift the area.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who retained her seat as Kakumiro Woman MP, reflected on her political journey and credited President Museveni for mentoring her from a young age. She pledged to intensify efforts to fight poverty and corruption while strengthening oversight of government programs.

Nabbanja pointed out gaps in service delivery, noting that some sub-counties still lack essential infrastructure such as secondary schools and health centers. She said addressing these gaps would be a key priority in the new term.

On economic empowerment, the Prime Minister said the government would continue implementing the Parish Development Model to integrate more Ugandans into the money economy. She noted that a significant portion of the population remains outside formal economic systems and requires targeted support.

Workers’ MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara called for the establishment of a dedicated empowerment program for workers, similar to initiatives that benefit women, youth and the elderly. He argued that workers have long been overlooked in government funding programs.

Rwakajara also reiterated his commitment to advocating for the enactment of a minimum wage law, saying it is essential for protecting workers and ensuring fair compensation across sectors.

Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze outlined an ambitious plan to position Mukono as Uganda’s leading education hub. She said the municipality already hosts several major learning institutions and has the potential to grow into a center of academic excellence.

However, Nambooze cautioned that the 12th Parliament could face intense debates on governance, electoral reforms and constitutional changes. She noted that recent legislative trends suggest a period of robust and possibly contentious discussions ahead.

Former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who returns as Kamuli District Woman MP, expressed gratitude to her constituents and pledged to continue advocating for development projects. She highlighted plans to push for the establishment of industrial parks, improvement of road infrastructure, expansion of schools and the reopening of Kimaka Airstrip.

Kadaga said these initiatives would create jobs, stimulate business activity and improve livelihoods in the region.

Kasilo County MP Paul Emaju commended voters in Serere District for electing leaders from the same political party, saying it presents an opportunity for unified representation. He said leaders would work together to address key issues affecting the district.

Emaju also emphasized the need to guide young people toward alternative economic activities beyond fishing, including agriculture and vocational skills development.

Entebbe Municipality MP Stephen Shayka described his swearing-in as a victory for democracy and pledged to foster unity among leaders regardless of political affiliation. He said collaboration would be essential in addressing service delivery challenges such as poor roads, inadequate health facilities and struggling schools.

The ceremony also accommodated special arrangements for Adjumani West MP Moses Ali and Kabula County MP Enos Asiimwe, who took their oaths from the Parliament Conference Hall due to health-related conditions. Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige presided over the sessions.

The swearing-in exercise will continue with more Members-elect expected to take oath before the House proceeds to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament.

As the new Parliament takes shape, expectations remain high among citizens for lawmakers to translate their promises into concrete action. The coming term is likely to test the institution’s ability to address long-standing governance challenges while responding to emerging national priorities.

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