The Structure of Parliament

The Parliament of Uganda is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament and has seven other members:

•Leader of Government Business

• Leader of Opposition

•The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and

•Four Commissioners elected among the Members of Parliament.

Composition of Parliament

Article 78(1) of the Constitution prescribes the composition of Parliament as follows:

• Four Commissioners elected among the Members of Parliament. Members directly elected to represent constituencies
• Four Commissioners elected among the Members of Parliament. One woman representative for every district
• Four Commissioners elected among the Members of Parliament. Representatives of the army, youth, workers, persons with disabilities and other groups as Parliament may determine; and
• Four Commissioners elected among the Members of Parliament. The Vice-President and Ministers who, if not already elected Members of Parliament, shall be ex officio members without the right to vote on any issue requiring a vote in Parliament.

Functions of Parliament

1. To pass laws for the good governance of Uganda.

2. To provide, by giving legislative sanctions to taxation and acquisition of loans, the means of carrying out the work of Government.

3. To scrutinise Government policy and administration through the following:

(a) pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills referred to Committees of Parliament;

(b) scrutinizing of the various objects of expenditure and the sums to be spent on each;

(c) assuring transparency and accountability in the application of public funds; and

(d) monitoring the implementation of Government programs and projects. More on Parliament and its history