KAMPALA — The contest for leadership of the 12th Parliament is beginning to take shape after Parliament formally responded to Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao over his concerns regarding the induction of newly elected Members of Parliament.
The communication from the Clerk to Parliament clarified that no official induction programme for MPs has yet been released, stating that consultations on the timing and facilitation of the orientation exercise are still ongoing.
The development follows a letter written by Mao on April 27, 2026, in which he urged Parliament to postpone the induction of new MPs until after the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Mao argued that conducting orientation before the election of House leadership could expose the process to perceptions of political influence, especially in light of the ongoing Speakership race.
However, Parliament has since dismissed any suggestion that an induction programme is underway or predetermined, maintaining that the process remains purely administrative and under technical review by the Office of the Clerk to Parliament.
“The Office of the Clerk to Parliament has not communicated the programme of induction of Members of the 12th Parliament,” the statement noted, adding that a formal schedule will be issued after consultations are concluded.
Mao, who is also linked to the Speakership contest, has previously argued that the House cannot be considered fully constituted until both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected, a position he says is necessary to preserve neutrality in the induction process.
He further warned that proceeding with orientation before electing parliamentary leadership could risk distracting new legislators from the core purpose of the exercise, which includes familiarisation with parliamentary procedures, ethics, and legislative responsibilities.
The exchange comes at a time of heightened political activity surrounding the Speakership race, with various political actors positioning themselves for key leadership roles in the 12th Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, a constitutional office elected by Members of Parliament at the first sitting of a new Parliament, presides over House proceedings and plays a central role in guiding legislative business.
While Parliament maintains that induction arrangements remain under review, the correspondence has added to growing political attention around the transition into the new legislative term.
As preparations for the official opening of the 12th Parliament continue, the timing and structure of MP induction, and its possible political implications, remain under scrutiny.