The Speaker, presiding over the plenary, takes up the Chair, which is situated in pole position, in the middle at one end of the Chamber. In front of the Speaker are two seats reserved for the Clerks, who provide technical assistance to the presiding officer.
In Parliament/plenary, the sitting arrangement of members is done in relation to the Speaker’s Chair.
Benches to the right of the Chair are reserved for members from the party in government, while Opposition legislators take up benches to the left.
Ministers in government and Shadow Ministers take up the front benches on either side of the Chair.
This sitting arrangement is observed in parliaments throughout the Commonwealth.
In Uganda, independent MPs have been reserved seats to the left of the Speaker, while representatives of the army (UPDF) are free to take up any seats available on either side of the Floor.
These are departmentally related committees, whose composition is determined at the start of each new session.
Each departmentally related committee consists of not less than 15 and not more than 30 members selected by the Business Committee from a list provided by the Party Whips.
The Business Committee in making the selection takes into consideration the political parties or organisations represented in the House, gender, qualifications and experience of the members in the various portfolios.
This is a Committee of the Whole House comprising all MPs and chaired by the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, convened to approve the Appropriation Bill and Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
The Table is the Clerk's seat. The Clerk takes minutes of proceedings and assists the Speaker with technical advice on conducting the proceedings of the House.
Members' benches are situated at each side of the Table.
The Chair is the seat of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, where they sit as they preside over proceedings of the House.
There are four (4) major roles of a Member of Parliament
Legislation
Members debate and pass laws through which the institutions of government endeavor to guide the country’s process.
Budget Approval/Appropriation
Members of Parliament (analyse) and pass (approve) the national Budget every financial year.
Oversight
Monitor and bring to the attention of Ministers and the public, government misuse of funds, violations of rule of law and unlawful activities.
Representation
Represent their constituents’ views in Parliament.
MPs bring to the attention of relevant Ministers different matters of national concern
In the Constituency
Hold consultative meetings with their constituents, update them on the activities of Parliament and government policies, and gather their views and concerns on issues, which affect their livelihood.
What MPs do not do:-
MPs do not construct or repair roads and bridges in their constituencies.
They also do not build hospitals or schools.
Additionally, MPs do not have an obligation to contribute to voters’ weddings and similar activities; or to pay school fees for children or students in their constituencies.
The Clerk is the head of the Parliamentary Service and is responsible to the Speaker for the general working and efficient conduct of the business of the Service.
The Clerk to Parliament is the Secretary to the Parliamentary Commission, arranges the business for the Commission and manages the record and minutes of the meetings of the Commission.
The Clerk is also the clerk to every Committee and may delegate his or her duties to a Deputy Clerk or Clerk Assistant. The Clerk is at the rank of Permanent Secretary and is appointed by H.E. the President.
The term of a Member of Parliament is based on the term of Parliament, which is five years.
Parliament has powers to make laws on any matter “for peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda.”
The functions of the Parliament of Uganda are:
1. To pass laws for the good governance of Uganda.
2. To provide, by giving legislative sanctions to taxation and acquisition of loans, the means of carrying out the work of Government.
3. To scrutinise Government policy and administration through the following:
(a). pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills referred to Committees of Parliament;
(b). scrutinising of the various objects of expenditure and the sums to be spent on each;
(c). assuring transparency and accountability in the application of public funds; and
(d). monitoring the implementation of Government programmes and projects.
Plenary is the sitting at which all MPs are invited or expected to attend.
The plenary sits in the Chamber of Parliament and is chaired by the Speaker/Deputy Speaker.
A Caucus is a meeting or group of legislators with common interests.
Caucuses in Parliament of Uganda may be based on parties, religions, regions and others.