Museveni, Chief Justice to Oversee Opening of 12th Parliament

Museveni and Uganda’s 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 programme will include the nomination of candidates for Speaker, voting by MPs, and the swearing-in of the successful candidate. The same process will then be followed for the election of the Deputy Speaker.

“The election of the Speaker shall be presided over by the Chief Justice,” the order paper states.Before voting starts, the Clerk to Parliament will read Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure governing the election of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Candidates nominated for the Speaker position will first be required to formally accept their nominations before lawmakers cast their votes

.After the results are announced, President Museveni will administer the oath of office to the new Speaker in line with Article 82(10) of the Constitution and the Second Schedule of the Oaths Act.

The President will also hand over instruments of power to the newly elected Speaker, who will then make an official communication from the Chair.

Parliament will later proceed with the nomination and election of the Deputy Speaker, followed by the swearing-in ceremony and handover of instruments of authority by the President.

The Deputy Speaker is also expected to address the House before President Museveni delivers his closing remarks

.The opening of the 12th Parliament has drawn major political attention, with the race for the top parliamentary offices expected to influence the legislative direction of the House over the next five years.