The new Member of Parliament for Kawempe North, Erias Nalukoola, has today taken oath before Speaker Anita Among.

Hon. Nalukoola, who belongs to the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) replaces Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, who died in January this year. Ssegirinya also belonged to NUP.

Nalukoola took the oath of allegiance and oath of a Member of Parliament swearing to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Uganda and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and to give faithful service to Parliament and support and uphold the Constitution of Uganda.  

Speaker Among said that the decision to hold the swearing-in in her chambers was to ensure that the people of Kawempe North are not left without representation.

“We would not want to deprive the good people of Kawempe [North] representation, which is why we are swearing him in my chambers. We swear you in because the law compels us,” she said.

She also refered to two occasions in the last Parliament when Hon. Robert Kasule (5 October 2017) and Faith Alupo (22 June 2018) took oath in the Speaker’s chambers.

Among emphasised that Nalukoola is now a full member of the 11th Parliament, entitled to all the benefits of an MP, including a vehicle.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, who was also present during the ceremony expressed his reservation at the process, saying a formal swearing in was preferred but given that the circumstances, they would proceed with the ceremony.

Hon. Nalukoola highlighted the plight of Kawempe North and said that the leadership vacuum had left the constituency without representation, hence  leaving urgent issues affecting residents, particularly the ongoing floods unattended to.

He also requested to be accorded ample time to present  the state of affairs of the constituency when the House resumes.