Speaker Among Orders Report on Delayed Parliamentary Chambers Construction

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The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among has given the Commissioners of the House a two-week deadline to deliver a detailed report on the status of the new parliamentary chambers, which are still under construction.

This directive came during a plenary session on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, after Kassanda North MP, Patrick Oshabe, raised concerns about the delayed project.

Oshabe, speaking on a matter of national importance, urged the House to seek updates on the progress of the chambers, which have been long overdue.

“As MPs, we deserve to know the state of the new chambers,” Oshabe emphasized. In response, Speaker Among promptly tasked the Commissioners with preparing and submitting the report within two weeks. “Commissioners, we need a report in two weeks,” she stated.

The Commissioners of the Eleventh Parliament, as of July 2021, include Speaker Among (Chairperson), Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija.

Also on the commission are backbenchers Solomon Silwany, Esther Afoyochan, Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira, and Joel Ssenyonyi. The Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, serves as Secretary.

The construction of the new parliamentary chambers, overseen by Roko Construction Company LTD, started in July 2017 with a budget of UGX 206 billion.

Initially, the project was scheduled for completion in July 2020 but has faced numerous delays, causing frustration among MPs.

Once finished, the new chambers will offer seating for 600 MPs, a massive upgrade from the current 100, easing space constraints.

The nine-story building will also feature a modern museum, an archiving facility, a gallery, and additional office spaces.

The existing chambers, built-in 1956 during the colonial period, were designed to accommodate just 88 MPs. Today, Parliament has 559 MPs and over 450 staff, all grappling with limited office space, prompting the construction of the new facility to address the pressing need for more room.

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