Museveni to Preside Over Election Speaker

President Museveni and the Chief Justice will on Monday preside over the opening sitting of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, where Members of Parliament are expected to elect a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

According to the official order paper, the First Meeting of the First Session of the 12th Parliament will begin at 10am with the arrival of the President at Parliament.

The day’s programme includes the nomination of candidates for Speaker, voting by MPs, and the swearing-in of the successful candidate. A similar process will be followed for the election of the Deputy Speaker.

“The election of the Speaker [will be] presided over by the Chief Justice,” the order paper states.

Before voting begins, the Clerk to Parliament will read Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure governing the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Candidates nominated for the Speaker’s position will be required to formally accept their nominations before lawmakers proceed to vote.

Following the declaration of results, President Museveni will administer the oath of office to the new Speaker in accordance with Article 82(10) of the Constitution and the Second Schedule of the Oaths Act.

He will also hand over instruments of power to the newly elected Speaker, who is expected to make an official communication from the Chair.

Parliament will then proceed with the nomination and election of the Deputy Speaker, after which the President will again administer the oath of office and hand over instruments of authority.

The Deputy Speaker is expected to address the House before President Museveni delivers closing remarks at the end of the sitting.

The opening of the 12th Parliament has attracted significant political attention, with competition for the top parliamentary offices expected to shape the legislative agenda over the next five years.