Parliament has completed the constitution of its standing and sectoral committees and designated Members of Parliament to various parliamentary and international bodies, paving the way for the 12th Parliament to begin its legislative, oversight and representative work.
The appointments and elections were made during Tuesday’s plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
Among the key committee appointments, Hon. Patrick Oshabe Nsamba was designated Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), deputised by Hon. Sarah Lwansasula. Hon. Fred Ruhindi will chair the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, with Hon. Abdu Swaibu Kampanya serving as Deputy Chairperson.
Hon. Amos Kankunda was appointed Chairperson of the Budget Committee, while Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto will head the Committee on National Economy.
Other standing committee appointments include Hon. Catherine Lamwaka as Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Committee, Hon. Francis Zaake heading the Government Assurance and Implementation Committee, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi leading the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), and Hon. Betty Bakireke Nambooze chairing the Public Accounts Committee (Local Government).
Hon. Jennifer Mujungu was designated to lead the newly established Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, which will be responsible for scrutinising statutory instruments and other delegated legislation.
For the sectoral committees, former Trade Minister Hon. Amelia Kyambadde will chair the Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Committee, Hon. Boniface Okot will head the Tourism, Trade and Industry Committee, Hon. Julius Rude Monday will lead the Health Committee, while Hon. Cuthbert Abigaba will chair the Education and Sports Committee, deputised by Hon. Emmanuel Ongierthor.
The House also elected four Backbench Commissioners to serve on the Parliamentary Commission: Hon. Susan Jolly Abeja, Hon. Faith Nakut, Hon. Jessica Ababiku and Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe.
Parliament further approved Uganda’s representation to several regional and international parliamentary bodies, including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Organisation of East African Cooperation, the African, Caribbean and Pacific/European Union Parliamentary Assembly, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Pan-African Parliament.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged the newly elected commissioners to remain accessible to Members of Parliament and effectively represent their views within the Parliamentary Commission.
“We have agreed that we are going to strengthen the Commission to the way it should be in the law,” Tayebwa said.
The constitution of committees marks a significant milestone in operationalising the 12th Parliament. The committees are expected to immediately begin scrutinising Bills, examining government policies and expenditure, reviewing reports from ministries and agencies, and conducting oversight visits across the country.
Parliament’s committee system plays a central role in legislative business, with detailed examination of legislation, public finance and government programmes taking place before matters are presented to the House for debate and decision.
