Former ministers were among the legislators sworn in on Thursday as the composition of the 12th Parliament continued to take shape.
The former ministers included Grace Freedom Kwiyucwinyi, the Woman MP for Zombo, and Christopher Kibazanga, the newly elected MP for Busongora South in the Rwenzori sub-region.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath, Kwiyucwinyi pledged support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and said she would advocate for effective implementation of government programmes aimed at improving household incomes and service delivery.
“I would like to thank the people of Zombo District for re-electing me as their Member of Parliament. This term, we want to ensure our people benefit more from government services,” Kwiyucwinyi said.
Kwiyucwinyi, who previously served as State Minister for Northern Uganda, said she was hopeful that the proposed Northern Uganda Social Action Fund phase four (NUSAF IV) would help address poverty, unemployment and limited access to clean water in the region.
Other legislators sworn in included Mityana Woman MP Judith Nabakooba, Rubanda East MP Henry Musasizi, Nakifuma County MP Amos Lugoloobi and Buikwe District Woman MP Diana Mutasingwa.
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi’s wife, Jacqueline Mbabazi, also took the oath of office during the day’s proceedings. Jacqueline is the MP for ther elderly in Western Uganda.
The swearing-in ceremony was briefly disrupted by light rain, although the exercise continued uninterrupted inside the parliamentary chambers.
Officials said 170 legislators were sworn in during the day. Of these, 86 took oath during the morning sitting while 84 were sworn in during the afternoon session. The exercise is expected to continue on Friday.
Several representatives of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) also took oath, including Lt Gen Samuel Kavuma and Lt Gen James Mugira.
Meanwhile, Busujju County MP David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga of the National Unity Platform (NUP) expressed concern over the absence of the party president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, from the parliamentary activities.
