The four-day event that commenced on May 17 and ended May 20 saw MPs-elect take oaths of allegiance as legislators. Thirty MPs under the special interest groups were sworn in as part of the 11th Parliament, including 10 members representing the army, five representing older persons, five representing the youth, five representing workers and five representing persons with disability.

Taking of oaths was presided over by the Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige. Each of the MPs took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament, a constitutional requirement, before they officially start their five-year term of office.

Upon taking the oaths, the MPs signed and were handed instruments of power including the Uganda Constitution and the Parliament Rules of Procedure.

Each of the four days of the swearing-in exercise was characterized by drama, and one wonders whether having to wear a mask was not a blessing in disguise for Kibirige and her team; some of the scenes were comical, and they must have been chuckling behind those masks.

The non-stop entertainment by Crane Performers – kudos, especially considering that they were expected by many MPs-elect to be sensitive to their tribes and music – unique dress designs, introduction of unknown names and walking styles, among others were all comical at times.

The day’s ceremony (May 17) started with the Clerk to Parliament reading the proclamation and members of the Uganda Prisons Band playing the National Anthem and the East African Community Anthem.

Names of legislators to take their oaths were read according to the alphabetical order and the legislators and those that escorted them were really smart and looked elegant.

Couples Day out

The day’s activity seemed normal until two MPs from Teso sub-region spiced it up by going to the podium with partners the public had not expected.

First, it was Bukedea Woman MP Anita Annet Among, along with her husband Moses Hassim Magogo, who was scheduled to take his own oaths as MP for Budiope East later on Wednesday.

Magogo is the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) president and now doubles as an MP from Buyende district. Many people had read and seen pictures about their marriage on social media and others still had doubts that the two actually became husband and wife until their appearance for Among’s swearing in last Monday.

When her name was read, the couple stood up and moved towards the podium where Among was given a bible to take her oaths. Among dressed in a pink and white flowered gomesi, walked close with Magogo dressed in a navy-blue suit and to many onlookers, this was the day’s couple.

Then came Soroti East division MP Moses Attan Okia with his two wives – each aiming to stand closest to their husband at the podium. As soon as Attan’s name was called to move to the lectern, one of the wives dressed in a gomesi sped up as if to book the appropriate position. However, on realizing their husband was behind, she slowed down and it was then that the husband’s other wife overtook her.

The woman in gomesi then positioned herself on the left side of their husband as the other, seemingly younger wife stood to his right. Unknown to Mrs-in-gomesi the left is the position occupied by the clerk who guides the legislator taking the oaths; she was asked to move to his right, which was already taken by her co-wife.

In a maneuver only comparable to jumping the food queue in Lumumba hall at Makerere University, madam-in-gomesi stooped a little, engaged an elbow and finally wedged herself between her co-wife and their man. All this was caught on camera and the video has since gone viral.

Jimmy James Akena (Lira East division) and Betty Amongi (Oyam South), then Abdulhu Byakatonda (Workers) and Jenipher Namuyangu (Kibuku Woman) were the other couples that graced the day but with less attention compared to the first ones.

Old brooms, new strokes

Notable among those that took oaths on day two included Lt. Gen Peter Elwelu as (army representative), Musa Ecweru (Amuria), Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri), former parliament speaker Rebecca Kadaga (Kamuli Woman), former finance minister Matia Kasaija (Buyanja) and artiste Hilary Innocent Kiyaga (Mawokota North) among others.

It was on the same day when a man escorting Ayivu division East MP Geofrey Feta showed up dressed in unusual attire with two belts and dancing like his life depended on it. Many at parliament were heard saying the man identified as Godfrey Atiku had ‘stolen the show’. In fact, hardly anyone remembers what Feta looked like on his big day, but it will take time for us to forget Atiku’s hot pink shirt and trousers, black watch, shoes, two black belts, and the countless memes he generated on social media.

Entertainment

Crane Performers dance group was available all through the four days of swearing-in. They sang and danced to religious songs (amataali), cultural songs from across the country, including Luo, Ankole, Bunyoro, Busoga, Bugisu (kadodi) and Teso, among others. The Crane Performers also sang songs of the army each time a name of UPDF representative was read out.

So sensitive were they that they tried to go as close as possible to each new legislator’s home, in song and dance. To most of the Muslim names, the performers sang and danced to amataali while for Christians, they used the cultural dances depending on the name of the MP read out.

The FASHION

Most of the MPs swearing in throughout the four days were escorted by family members, friends and key persons in their political careers.

Here, unique fashion styles were exhibited.  Among those that appeared outstanding were the Madi-Okollo Woman MP Joanne Aniku Okia.

She wore a long yellow-silver dress, cream shoes and bag with matching bangles. She turned up in the company of Dr Violet Kajubiri, president Museveni’s sister and another relative. According to sources, her husband only identified as Okia and son to Dr Kajubiri could not make it early so he requested his mother to accompany his wife. Apparently, Okia later showed up, but Aniku had already taken her oaths and the ceremony closed.

But as soon as he appeared in the precincts of parliament, he and the Madi-Okollo Woman MP were given special attention and the protocol at the ceremony that had closed organized for the couple to take pictures.

Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko appeared for his swearing-in ceremony dressed in a brown shirt, checkered suit, maroon tie, brown shoes, glasses with his parents Florence and Painto Ofumbi, among others.

Gogonyo MP Derrick Orone was accompanied by his wife. The duo wore clothes similar to those worn by airlines crew. They explained that their dress code was intended to show respect to their clients that they assist to get employment abroad. The couple owns a company that exports labour to the Arab world.

Godfrey Lutaaya (Kakuuto) turned up with his wife Irene Namatovu, dressed in coordinated grey and red outfits. The Da Nu Eagles band directors looked ecstatic at how much their fortunes have turned in a short time. 

THE WONDER

Embattled National Unity Platform legislator for Kawempe North, Muhammad Ssegirinya, provided one of the wonders of day four. Ssegirinya has been in the news for his allegedly forged papers, and later for his incarceration, alleged torture and later hospitalization abroad.

He turned up for his swearing-in ceremony to the relief of many, but that relief turned to shock when he could not walk without support, appearing to be in pain.

However, later the MP was captured on camera looking jolly and quite fine and unsupported, to the amazement of many. Wonders never cease.

THE 11th PARLIAMENT

The MPs attended their first seating at Kololo Ceremonial grounds on Monday, to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, positions shrouded in so much drama.

The election and swearing-in of the Speaker of Parliament was presided over by the Chief Justice, who then handed over to the new Speaker to preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker.

Only after the Speaker and deputy are in place, can parliament start official duties, form committees and even vet a new cabinet for President Museveni.

This Eleventh Parliament has the highest number of legislators, increasing from 426 in the Tenth Parliament to 529 this year.

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