ADMINISTRATION OF PARLIAMENT ACT.

An Act to provide for the administration of Parliament and for the employment and remuneration of officers and staff of Parliament and for other purposes connected therewith.

PART I
INTERPRETATION.

1. Interpretation.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

(a) “classification” means arrangement of officers and offices in classes and includes the allotment to officers or offices of salaries or limits of salary according to the value of their work;

(a1) “Chief Opposition Whip” means the person referred to in section 6I;

(b) “clerk” means the clerk to Parliament;

(d) “financial year” has the same meaning as in the Constitution;

(da) “Government Chief Whip” means the person referred to in section 6H;

(e) “leader of Government business” means a Minister of Government so designated by the President;

(ea) “Leader of the Opposition” means the member of Parliament who is the leader in Parliament of the party in opposition to the Government and having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament;

(f) “office” means an office in the service created under section 14 but does not include the office of the clerk;

(fa) “Party Whip” means the person referred to in section 6J;

(g) “service” means the parliamentary service established under section 9;

(h) “unattached officer” means an officer who is not occupying an office.

PART II
THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION.

2. Establishment of the commission.

(1) There shall be a commission called the Parliamentary Commission.

(2) The Commission shall be composed of the Speaker, the Leader of Government Business or his or her nominee, the Leader of the Opposition or his or her nominee, the Minister responsible for finance and four members of Parliament one of whom shall come from the opposition and none of whom shall be a Minister.

(2a) Without prejudice to subsection (2), one of the four members of Parliament referred to in that subsection shall be a woman.

(2b) Nomination of the candidates for election to the Commission of the four members of Parliament referr

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ed to in subsection (2) shall be made by the Government and opposition sides.

(2c) The four members of Parliament referred to in subsection (2) shall hold office as members of the Commission for two and a half years.

(3) The commission shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and with power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to do or suffer to be done all things which may be or are suffered by a body corporate.

(4) The Speaker shall be the chairperson of the commission.

(5) The clerk to Parliament shall be the secretary to the commission and shall arrange the business for and cause to be recorded and kept the minutes of the meetings of the commission.

3. Tenure of office.

A member of the commission shall hold office for the duration of the Parliament in which he or she is elected but shall not vacate the office until a member is nominated or elected in his or her place, as the case may be, immediately after a general election.

4. Vacation of office of a commissioner.

A member of the commission shall cease to hold office on vacating his or her seat in accordance with article 83 of the Constitution.

5. Removal of a commissioner.

A member of the commission, other than the Speaker and the leader of Government business, may be removed from office by Parliament for inability to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of body or mind, misbehaviour, misconduct or incompetence.

6. Functions of the commission.

The functions of the commission shall include—

(a) to appoint, promote and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding public office in Parliament;

(b) to review the terms and conditions of service, standing orders, training and qualifications of persons holding office in Parliament;

(c) to provide security staff to maintain proper security for the members of Parliament and facilities within the precincts of Parliament;

(d) to provide a parliamentary reporting service;

(e) to provide such other staff and facilities as are required to ensure the efficient functioning of Parliament;

(f) to cause to be prepared in each financial year estimates of revenues and expenditure for Parliament for the next financial year;

(g) to make recommendations to Parliament on or, with the approval of Parliament, determine the allowances payable and privileges available to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of Parliament;

(h) to do such other things as may be necessary for the wellbeing of the members and staff of Parliament.

PART IIA
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

6A. Leader of the Opposition.

As required by article 82A of the Constitution, there shall be in Parliament under the multiparty system, a “Leader of the Opposition”.

6B. How Leader of Opposition to be chosen.

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Leader of the Opposition shall be elected by the party in opposition to the Government having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.

(2) In electing the Leader of the Opposition the party to which he or she belongs may consult other political parties in opposition to the Government and the independent members of Parliament.

(3) A person elected Leader of the Opposition under this section shall take office upon a formal announcement by the Speaker.

6C. How Leader of the Opposition ceases to hold office.

The Leader of the Opposition ceases to hold that office—

(a) if removed by the party that elected him or her;

(b) if he or she resigns from that office;

(d) if he or she ceases to be a member of Parliament under article 83 of the Constitution;

(e) if the party which elected him or her ceases to have the position in Parliament described in section 6B(1).

6D. Status of the Leader of the Opposition.

The Leader of the Opposition shall be accorded the status of a Cabinet Minister.

6E. Role and functions of Leader of the Opposition.

(1) The principal role of the Leader of the Opposition is to keep the government in check.

(2) The Leader of the Opposition shall under subsection (1), in consultation with his or her party leadership appoint a shadow cabinet from members of the opposition in Parliament with portfolios and functions that correspond to those of Cabinet Ministers.

(3) The Leader of the Opposition shall be a member of the Committee of Parliament responsible for determining and scheduling of business in Parliament and the Committee responsible for appointments and shall hold regular consultations with the Leader of Government Business and the Speaker.

(4) The Leader of the Opposition shall study all policy statements of government with his or her shadow ministers and attend committee deliberations on policy issues and give their party’s views and opinions and propose possible alternatives.

6F. Benefits and privileges of Leader of the Opposition.

(1) The Leader of the Opposition being a member of Parliament shall enjoy all benefits and privileges of a member of Parliament.

(2) The benefits and privileges of the Leader of the Opposition shall be the same as those of a Cabinet Minister.

6G. Rules to prescribe other matters.

In addition to the provisions of this Part, the Rules of Procedure of Parliament may prescribe other matters in relation to the office of the Leader of the Opposition consistent with the status conferred on the holder by this Act.

PART IIB
CHIEF WHIPS AND PARTY WHIPS.

6H. Government Chief Whip.

(1) There shall be in Parliament a Government Chief Whip appointed by the Government from among members of Parliament representing the ruling party.

(2) The role and functions of the Government Chief Whip is to ensure due attendance, participation in proceedings and voting in Parliament of members of the ruling party.

(3) The Government Chief Whip shall also perform such functions as may be prescribed by the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.

6I. The Chief Opposition Whip.

(1) There shall be in Parliament a Chief Opposition Whip appointed by the party in opposition to the Government and having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.

(2) The role and functions of the Chief Opposition Whip is to ensure due attendance, participation in proceedings and voting in Parliament of members of the party in opposition to the Government and having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.

(3) The Chief Opposition Whip shall also perform such functions as may be prescribed by the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.

6J. The Party Whips.

(1) A party in opposition may appoint its party whip.

(2) The role and functions of a party whip is to ensure due attendance, participation in proceedings and voting in Parliament of members of the party.

(3) The party whip shall also perform such functions as may be prescribed by the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.

PART III
PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE.

7. Decisions of the commission.

(1) Every decision of the commission shall, as far as possible, be by consensus.

(2) Where on any matter consensus cannot be obtained, the matter shall be decided by voting; and the matter shall be taken to have been decided if supported by the votes of the majority of members present and voting.

(3) The chairperson of the commission shall have neither an original nor a casting vote.

(4) In any vote under subsection (2), each member of the commission shall have one vote, and none shall have a casting vote.

(5) The quorum of the commission at any meeting shall be four.

(6) The commission may act notwithstanding the absence of any member or any vacancy in the office of a member.

(7) Subject to this Act, the commission may regulate its own procedure.

8. Meetings of the commission.

(1) The commission shall meet at least once in two months.

(2) All meetings of the commission shall be convened by the Speaker by giving not less than seven days’ notice to the members.

(3) The commission may also have extraordinary meetings as and when it is necessary.

(4) Any three of the members of the commission may, in writing signed by each of them, demand an extraordinary meeting of the commission, specifying the agenda to be considered at that meeting.

(5) The Speaker shall, on receipt of the demand for an extraordinary meeting, summon such a meeting giving three days’ notice, but if the Speaker fails to summon the meeting within three days after receipt of the demand, any of the three members who originally demanded for the meeting may summon the meeting giving three days’ notice.

9. The parliamentary service.

(1) There shall be a parliamentary service which shall be composed of persons appointed under section 6(a) and shall be subject to the direction and control of the commission.

(2) The service shall form part of the public service of Uganda.

10. Clerk.

The clerk shall be the head of the parliamentary service and shall be responsible to the Speaker for the general working and efficient conduct of the business of the service.

11. Delegation by the clerk.

The clerk may, in consultation with the Speaker, by writing signed by him or her, delegate any functions of clerk under this Act to any officer in the service.

12. Responsibilities of the Speaker.

The Speaker shall make recommendations to the commission as and when the need arises on—

(a) any alterations in the organisation, staffing or management of the service that are in his or her opinion necessary for the expedient or more economical, efficient or convenient working of the service or any branch of it; and

(b) any alterations that are in his or her opinion necessary in the salaries or allowances of any officers or employees under his or her control, and the commission shall take action on the recommendations.

13. Consultation with Public Service Commission.

The commission shall, in determining the terms and conditions of employment of members of the service under section 6 or 12, consult with the Public Service Commission.

14. Creation of offices.

The commission may upon the recommendation of the Speaker—

(a) create such number of offices as will ensure the efficient functioning of the service; and

(b) create, abolish, reclassify and change any designation of offices in the service.

15. Recruitment.

(1) The commission may cause to be published in the Uganda Gazette or elsewhere invitations to persons to apply for appointment, promotion or transfer to any vacant office in the service.

(2) The commission shall specify in a notice under subsection (1)—

(a) the office or class of offices in respect of which applications for appointment, promotion or transfer are invited;

(b) the salaries or limits of salaries that shall be applicable on appointment, promotion or transfer;

(d) such other matter, if any, which the commission may consider desirable but not inconsistent with this Act.

16. Terms of employment.

If an officer was immediately before his or her appointment to the service an officer in the public service, his or her service as an officer of the public service shall be counted as service in the parliamentary service for purposes of—

(a) leave;

(b) pay in lieu of leave;

17. Leave to serve under other Acts.

(1) If an officer in the service is appointed under another Act other than this Act, the Speaker may, on application, grant the officer leave of absence without pay for the period of absence.

(2) The period during which an officer is absent on leave under subsection (1) shall be counted as part of his or her period of service.

(3) Where an officer is granted leave under this section, his or her other office in the service becomes vacant on commencement of the leave; and he or she is an unattached officer for the period of leave.

(4) At the end of the period of leave, an unattached officer subject to retirement age or dismissal for misconduct shall be entitled to be appointed to an office not lower in classification than his or her former office.

(5) Where there is no vacancy to which an officer may be suitably appointed in accordance with subsection (4), the officer shall continue as an unattached officer until a suitable vacancy occurs.

18. Oath.

Before assuming the duties of his or her office, an officer shall take before the Speaker any oath under the Oaths Act prescribed by regulations made under section 37, being an oath appropriate to an equivalent office in the public service.

PART IV
FINANCE.

19. Financial year estimates.

(1) In each financial year the commission shall prepare and submit to the President estimates for that year of the expenses of departments of Parliament and any other expenses incurred for the service of the house.

(2) The President shall cause the estimates to be laid before Parliament without revision but with any recommendations that Government may have on them.

20. Expenses of Parliament.

The administrative and operational expenses of Parliament, including all salaries, allowances, gratuities and pensions payable to or in respect of a person serving in Parliament, shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.

21. Bank accounts.

The commission shall open and maintain such bank accounts as are necessary for the exercise of its functions and shall pay into them—

(a) all monies received from the Government for the purposes of this Act;

(b) all monies appropriated by law for the purpose of carrying out or giving effect to this Act;

22. Commission to establish procedures.

The commission may establish procedures and expenditure involving—

(a) official overseas travel;

(b) purchases necessary for the various departments of Parliament.

23. Tender board.

The commission may establish a tender board for Parliament to control and regulate the purchase and disposal of property and supply of works and services to or for the purposes of Parliament.

PART V
DEPARTMENTS OF PARLIAMENT.

24. Establishment of departments.

There shall be established the following departments in the parliamentary service—

(a) department of the Speaker;

(b) department of sergeant-at-arms;

(d) department of the official report;

(e) department of legislative counsel; and

(f) department of finance and administration.

25. Creation of departments.

The commission may, in addition to the departments specified in section 24, create other departments to ensure the efficient functioning of the departments’ service.

26. Abolition and merger.

The commission may abolish or merge any of the departments of the service.

PART VI
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES.

27. Salary classification.

(1) Officers shall be given such classifications as are fixed by the Speaker subject to approval of the commission and in consultation with the Public Service Commission.

(2) A classification under subsection (1) may provide for a rate of annual salary or a scale of rates of annual salary.

28. Allowances.

Officers and employees in the service may be paid such allowances in such cases and subject to such conditions as are determined by the commission.

29. Hours of duty.

(1) The hours of duty of officers and employees shall be determined by the commission.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), officers and employees of the service shall, whenever required by the clerk, perform duties outside their normal hours in order to meet the exigencies of parliamentary business.

30. Leave.

Every officer is entitled to an annual leave and leave of absence for such periods as the commission may by regulation determine.

31. Deductions from entitlements.

Deductions may be made from the entitlements of officers and employees for any service provided by the State.

32. Allowances of members of the commission.

Members of the commission shall be paid such allowances as may be determined by the commission with the approval of Parliament.

PART VII
DISCIPLINE.

33. Disciplinary procedures.

The commission shall, by statutory instrument, make regulations providing for—

(a) disciplinary offences and penalties for breach of such offences;

(b) the right to a fair hearing when an officer or employee is being proceeded against for a disciplinary offence;

PART VIII
RESIGNATION, RETIREMENT AND RETRENCHMENT.

34. Retirement age.

An officer who has attained the age of 55 years is entitled to retire from the service but shall retire on attaining the age of 60 years.

35. Incapacity or infirmity.

If by reason of mental or bodily infirmity an officer is unfit to discharge the duties of his or her office, the commission may retire the officer from the service.

36. Commission to determine entitlement.

Where an office is abolished or reclassified, the commission may discontinue the service of the holder of the office; and his or her entitlements shall be determined by the commission in a manner consistent with that prescribed for the public service.

PART IX
MISCELLANEOUS.

37. Regulations.

(1) The commission shall make regulations and other statutory instruments for the effective performance of the functions of the commission and the service.

(2) Any statutory instrument made under this section shall be laid before Parliament and may be annulled by Parliament by resolution within 21 days after it being laid.

(3) The commission may, by regulations made under this section, adopt the provisions of any enactment subject to such modifications as the commission may, on the recommendation of Parliament, consider reasonable.

38. Accounts and audits.

The commission shall keep proper books of account and records in relation to them, and the accounts shall be audited and reported on by the Auditor General in accordance with article 163 of the Constitution.

39. Annual report.

The commission shall as soon as possible after the expiration of each financial year and in any case not later than 30th”> September in each year submit to Parliament an annual report dealing generally with the activities and operations of the commission within the year, which shall include such other information as Parliament may request.

*History*
Legislation	Number
Act	6/1997
Act	17/1998
Act	22/2006

Cross References

Constitution of 1995.

Oaths Act, Cap. 19.

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