Parliament elects Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly and the Pan-African Parliament.

The East African Legislative Assembly is the legislative organ of the East African Community and consists of members elected from outside the national Parliaments of the partner states.

Uganda’s nine representatives to the Assembly include:

1. Hon. Rose Akol Okullu (National Resistance Movement)
2. Hon. Paul Mwasa Musamali (National Resistance Movement)
3. Hon. George Stephen Odongo (National Resistance Movement)
4. Hon. James Kakooza (National Resistance Movement)
5. Hon. Mary Mugyenyi (National Resistance Movement)
6. Hon. Dennis Namara (National Resistance Movement)
7. Hon. Gerald Blacks Siranda (Democratic Party)
8. Hon. Jacquiline Amongin (Independent)
9. Hon. Veronica Babirye Kadogo (Independent)

The Pan-African Parliament represents all the people of Africa with the aim of evolving into an institution with full legislative powers, whose members are elected by universal adult suffrage.

The sittings of the Parliament are held in Midrand, South Africa. Members of Parliament elect five of its own to represent the country at the Pan-African Parliament.

The current members include:

1. Hon. Felix Okot Ogong (National Resistance Movement)
2. Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou (National Resistance Movement)
3. Hon. Eric Musana (National Resistance Movement)
4. Hon. Caroline Kamusiime (National Resistance Movement)
5. Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (INational Unity Platform)

According to Article (83) of the Constitution, a Member of Parliament may lose his or her seat in any of the following instances—

• On resignation in writing to the Speaker;
• If he or she subsequently ceases to qualify to be a Member of Parliament;
• If he or she is absent from 15 sittings without permission of the Speaker;
• If he or she is found guilty of violation of the Leadership Code of Conduct;
• If he or she joins another party or leaves the party and decides to remain an Independent member;
• If a member was elected as an independent and joins a party; or
• On appointment as a public officer.

This is an officer of the House charged with security of the Speaker and Members.

The Sergeant-at-Arms is the ceremonial custodian of the Mace and the implementer of all orders and actions requested by the Speaker.

The SAA carries the Mace in and out of the Chamber in a procession at the beginning and end of each sitting of the plenary.

The main role of the SAA is to provide a safe, clean and secure environment throughout the precincts of Parliament.

The specific functions of the SAA, which is a full department in the Parliamentary Service include to provide security to MPs, staff, visitors and facilities within the precincts of Parliament, to control admission and access to the precincts of Parliament, to provide proper ceremonial aspects of the House, to provide maintenance and cleaning services, to advise and administer allocation of offices and committee rooms, and to provide first aid services and occupational safety measures to minimize accidents and fire.

The Deputy Speaker deputises the Speaker (See roles of the Speaker).

The Constitution, in Article 90 (4), provides that in the exercise of their functions, committees of Parliament;

• May call any Minister or any person holding public office and private individuals to submit memoranda or appear before them to give evidence;
• May co-opt any Member of Parliament or employ qualified persons to assist then in the discharge of their functions;
• Shall have the powers of the High Court for:- enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; compelling the production of documents;
• Issue a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad.

A Bill is presented to Parliament for the First Reading before it is referred to a Committee for consideration.

The Committee invites proposals from the general public and interested people before it is returned to the plenary for further consideration.

In the plenary, the Bill will be read for the second time, approved in the Committee of the Whole House and passed at the Third Reading.

A motion is a proposal made by an MP that Parliament or a Committee of Parliament do something or order that something be done or express an opinion with regard to an issue.

A Resolution is a formal statement of an opinion or decision agreed upon by Parliament or any of its committees.

A Petition is a written prayer or plea presented to Parliament.

A Bill is a draft law. It may be proposed by an MP or Minister.

A Statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative body other than Parliament. For example, enactments made by the National Resistance Council are referred to as statutes, while those made by Parliament are referred to as Acts.

A  Statute may also refer to a body of laws, which are collected and arranged according to a scheme.

This is the Government account onto which all government revenues and funds are paid and from which money is withdrawn to fund all activities of government.

Parliament conducts its business in both Committees and the Plenary. Parliament sets up Sectoral Committees (at the beginning of each session), Standing Committees (at the beginning of a new term of Parliament, and again after two and half years) and other Committees such as Select Committees and Ad hoc Committees to help in handling different matters before it.

Members of Parliament transact business through these committees before it is considered by the Plenary.

Article 90 (1) of the Constitution states “Parliament shall appoint Standing Committees and other committees necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions.”