Speaker Anita Among officially closed the fourth session of the 11th Parliament, praising MPs for their dedication and legislative achievements despite a year marked by loss and challenges.
A session is a period beginning with the date when Parliament commences to sit upon being summoned by the president or speaker by proclamation under clauses (1) and (2) of Article 95 of the Constitution.
Each five-year term of Parliament has five sessions which in essence, means that the fifth and last session of the 11th Parliament that commences on June 5 2025 with the president’s address on the state of the nation, will expire in May 2026.
“Honourable Members, before I formally prologue [close] the House, I take this opportunity to thank the whole House for your dedication through the fourth session. It has been a difficult one in which we lost two colleagues — Hon Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke and Hon Mohammad Ssegirinya. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” she said.
Amid emotional reflection, Among acknowledged the resilience of Parliament in fulfilling its constitutional mandate. “Despite the setbacks, the Lord has also been kind to us and we praise Him for that.” She said.
She outlined the House’s legislative output, noting that the session, which commenced on June 6 2024, saw Parliament sit 75 times.
“During this session of the House, the House has held 75 sittings during which we have been able, one, to administer two oaths to newly elected Members of Parliament, Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro, and Hon. Elias Nalukoola (NUP, Kawempe Division North),” she said.
“We have passed 33 bills. We have concluded 33 petitions. We have passed 43 resolutions. We have adopted 53 reports. We have considered 213 urgent questions,” she added.
Among also highlighted the level of parliamentary oversight achieved.
“We have considered 45 ministerial statements and considered seven statements by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament,” she said.
She credited these accomplishments to both individual and collective effort. As Parliament transitions to its fifth session, the speaker urged legislators to sustain the momentum.
Citing article 95(3) of the Constitution, the seaker issued the official proclamation.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Speaker by Article 95(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, it is proclaimed that the Parliament shall stand prorogued with effect from 29th day of May 2025. The pending business before the House and its committees is hereby saved,” she declared.
The prorogation follows consultation with the president, as constitutionally required.
