As Uganda’s 11th Parliament approaches its dissolution on April 24, legislators are calling for extended sittings to pass the national budget and clear a backlog of pending bills before the end of their term.
Newly elected Members of Parliament are expected to be sworn in between May 13 and May 15, 2026, following the January 15 general elections, placing added pressure on the outgoing House to conclude key legislative business.
Speaker Anita Among has acknowledged the urgency and urged legislators to prioritize unfinished work before Parliament adjourns.
At the centre of the legislative push is the Financial Year 2026/27 national budget. Under the Public Finance Management Act (Uganda), Parliament must debate and approve the national budget, the Appropriation Bill, and related revenue legislation before May 31 each year.
Some legislators, including Mityana South MP Richard Lumu and Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, have urged the Speaker to schedule daily sittings including weekends if necessary to accelerate the legislative agenda.
Among the private members’ bills awaiting consideration are the National Legal Aid Bill, 2022; the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2023; the Contract Farming Bill, 2023; and the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Others include the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Marriage Bill, 2024; the Administration of Parliament Bill, 2024; and the Human Resource Management Professionals Bill, 2025.
Several government bills also remain pending before the House, including the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Bill, 2025; the National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill, 2025; and the Khadi Courts Bill, 2024.
By Francis Lubega
12th Mar 2026
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