Veteran Politician and Mawokota North MP Amelia Kyambadde has issued a strong warning to women entering the 12th Parliament, urging them to remain alert to sexual exploitation and manipulation within political circles.
Kyambadde says many first-time female legislators are often approached under the guise of friendship, mentorship, or professional support, only to later realise there are hidden personal motives.
She cautioned that such situations have, in some cases, led to complicated relationships that end up affecting families and careers.
According to her, the pressure can be subtle but persistent, especially for younger MPs trying to find their footing in a new environment.
Kyambadde acknowledged that these challenges are not new, noting that even experienced and older legislators have had to navigate similar situations.
She encouraged new female MPs to stay focused, set clear boundaries, and prioritise their responsibilities to the people who elected them.
.A 2021 study of African parliaments found that 40% of female parliamentarians faced sexual harassment, and 9% were targets of “sextortion” (requests for sexual favors in exchange for benefits)
Uganda’s newly elected lawmakers will take their oaths of office in a structured, three-day ceremony next month, formally launching the 12th Parliament and marking the country’s latest democratic transition following the January 15, 2026 general elections.
The Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Kasaija Mwesige, has issued a detailed public notice outlining the swearing-in schedule for all members-elect at Parliament House in Kampala. The event will run from Wednesday, May 13, to Friday, May 15, 2026, in strict alphabetical order to ensure an orderly process.
“Notice is hereby given that the Clerk to Parliament will, on 13th, 14th and 15th May 2026 at Parliament House, administer the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament to each person elected as a Member of Parliament in accordance with the following Schedule,” the official notice states.
Sessions will run from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a 30-minute break and resumption from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.The alphabetical roll call begins on May 13 with Abim District Woman MP-elect Aayoo Joyce Makamoe at 8:00 a.m. and closes the morning session with Babirye Milly Babalanda.
Once sworn in, the 12th Parliament will elect its Speaker and Deputy Speaker, form committees, and settle down to business, including oversight of government programmes and legislative agenda-setting. The transition occurs against the backdrop of the January elections, which returned President Yoweri Museveni for a seventh term but also ushered in a fresh cohort of voices into the legislature.
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