By Spy Uganda
Erias Nalukoola has officially been sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North, marking the beginning of his tenure in Uganda’s 11th Parliament. The ceremony, presided over by Speaker Anita Among, took place in the Speaker’s chambers instead of the usual parliamentary setting, as Parliament is currently in recess.
Speaker Among emphasized that the decision to conduct the swearing-in in her chambers was to ensure that the people of Kawempe North were represented.
“We would not want to deprive the good people of Kawempe representation, which is why we are swearing him in my chambers. The law compels us to do this,” she stated.
With his swearing-in, Nalukoola now assumes full parliamentary privileges, including access to official benefits such as a vehicle and fuel allowances.
A New Chapter For Kawempe North
Nalukoola, who won the by-election with 17,980 votes, was presented by the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi. The election was held to fill the vacancy left by the late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya. The new MP took his oath by pledging to uphold and defend the Constitution of Uganda, concluding with the words, “So help me Allah.”
Following the ceremony, Nalukoola was handed a copy of the Constitution and the parliamentary rules of procedure. He was accompanied by key figures, including his father, Hajj Takuba, and Uganda Law Society Vice President Anthony Asiimwe.
Priorities For Kawempe North
In his first remarks as MP, Nalukoola expressed deep gratitude to his constituents and acknowledged the long period they had gone without representation. He highlighted pressing issues affecting the area, particularly the devastating floods, which he vowed to address.
“Kawempe North has faced many challenges, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” he stated.
Speaker Among also acknowledged the challenges in the constituency, while Ssenyonyi noted that, despite the election’s complexities, they were pleased to have a representative in place.
“Kawempe North has been a battlefront, and we remain committed to addressing the issues affecting the people,” Ssenyonyi said.
With Hon. Nalukoola’s swearing-in, Kawempe North now regains its voice in Parliament, ensuring that its people’s concerns are represented at the national level. As he embarks on this new journey, all eyes will be on how he fulfills his campaign promises and delivers for his constituents.
