KAMPALA, Uganda — Parliament on Tuesday completed a major step in operationalising the 12th Parliament by electing four Backbench Commissioners to the Parliamentary Commission and designating chairpersons and deputy chairpersons for its standing and sectoral committees.
The appointments, made during a plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, pave the way for committees to begin scrutinising Bills, examining government expenditure, overseeing ministries and agencies, and reviewing public policies before matters are debated by the full House.
The Deputy Speaker urged the newly elected commissioners to remain in close contact with fellow Members of Parliament so that the views of legislators are effectively represented on the Parliamentary Commission.
Backbench Commissioners
The four Members of Parliament elected as Backbench Commissioners are:
- Hon. Susan Jolly Abeja (Otuke District)
- Hon. Faith Nakut (Napak District)
- Hon. Jessica Ababiku (Adjumani District)
- Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya County)
The Parliamentary Commission is the governing body responsible for Parliament’s administration, finances, human resource management and strategic direction.
Standing Committees
Standing committees serve for two and a half years and are reconstituted midway through the parliamentary term.
Committee on Appointments
- Chairperson: Speaker Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth
- Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Speaker Hon. Thomas Tayebwa
Budget Committee
- Chairperson: Hon. Amos Kankunda
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Tom Aliti Candia
Committee on Climate Change
- Chairperson: Hon. Aggrey Bagiire
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. W. Shafiga
Equal Opportunities Committee
- Chairperson: Hon. Catherine Lamwaka
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Melsa Avako Naima
Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation
- Chairperson: Hon. Francis Zaake
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Anna Adeke
Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters
- Chairperson: Hon. Stephen Kisa
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Hajjat Ntale
Committee on Human Rights
- Chairperson: Hon. W. Kajwengye
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Lydia Mirembe
Committee on National Economy
- Chairperson: Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Remigio Achia
Public Accounts Committee (Central Government)
- Chairperson: Hon. Patrick Nsamba
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Sarah Lwansasula
Public Accounts Committee (COSASE)
- Chairperson: Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. George Musisi
Public Accounts Committee (Local Government)
- Chairperson: Hon. Betty Bakireke Nambooze
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Mudiobole
Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline
- Chairperson: Hon. Fred Ruhindi
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Abdu Swaibu Kampanya
Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation
- Chairperson: Hon. Samuel Acuti Opio
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. George Lubega
Committee on Subsidiary Legislation (New)
- Chairperson: Hon. Jennifer Mujungu
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Merc Kanyesigye
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said the newly established Committee on Subsidiary Legislation will play a critical role in scrutinising statutory instruments and other delegated legislation to strengthen the quality of laws passed by Parliament.
Sectoral Committees
Sectoral committees are departmentally related and are constituted at the beginning of every parliamentary session. They serve for one session and generally comprise about 30 members designated by party whips and approved by the House.
Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
- Chairperson: Hon. Amelia Kyambadde
Defence and Internal Affairs
- Chairperson: Hon. Robina Rwakoojo
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Linos Ngompek
East African Community Affairs
- Chairperson: Hon. Dennis Namara
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Jackline Sange
Education and Sports
- Chairperson: Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho
Environment and Natural Resources
- Chairperson: Hon. Dan Kimosho
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Anna Mary Nankabirwa
Finance, Planning and Economic Development
- Chairperson: Hon. Maximus Ochai
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Gerald Kasigwa Bihemaiso
Foreign Affairs
- Chairperson: Hon. Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Bruce Kabaasa
Gender, Labour and Social Development
- Chairperson: Hon. Laura Kanushu
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Nancy Acora Odonga
Health
- Chairperson: Hon. Dr. Monday Julius Rude
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Hope Grania Nakazibwe
Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance
- Chairperson: Hon. Andrew Oulanyah
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Hajji Iddi
Lands, Housing and Urban Development
- Chairperson: Hon. Rugumayo Edison
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Peace Tibyaze
Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
- Chairperson: Hon. Teira
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Edward Otto Makmot
Physical Infrastructure
- Chairperson: Hon. Mwine Mpaka
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Eng. William Taylor Tiyo
Presidential Affairs
- Chairperson: Hon. Mapenduzi Ojara
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Flora Natumanya
Public Service and Local Government
- Chairperson: Hon. Herbert Ariko
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Rose Obigah
Tourism, Trade and Industry
- Chairperson: Hon. Boniface Okot
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Patrick Aeku
Other Appointments
Parliament also constituted the Parliament Pension Board with:
- Chairperson: Hon. Sylvia Nayebale
- Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Abubaker Kawalya
The House further confirmed Uganda’s delegation to the Pan African Parliament comprising:
- Hon. Sarah Najjuma
- Hon. Arinaitwe Rwakajara
- Hon. Anthony Akol
- Hon. David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga
- Hon. Patience Kinshaba
Meanwhile, Opposition Whip Hon. Paul Mwiru and Government Chief Whip Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng continued designating members to the various committees in accordance with Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.
Former Speaker Hon. Anita Among was designated an ordinary member of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation.
With committee leadership now in place, Parliament is expected to immediately commence detailed consideration of legislation, oversight of government programmes, scrutiny of public expenditure and review of national policies. Full committee memberships, each comprising about 30 legislators, will be finalised and approved by the House in the coming sittings.
