President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Chief Justice will on Monday preside over the opening sitting of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, during which Members of Parliament are expected to elect the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

According to the official order paper, the First Meeting of the First Session of the 12th Parliament will commence at 10:00am with the arrival of the President at Parliament.

The day’s programme includes the nomination of candidates for Speaker, voting by MPs, and the swearing-in of the successful candidate.

A similar process will be followed for the election of the Deputy Speaker.

“The election of the Speaker [will be] presided over by the Chief Justice,” the order paper states.

Before voting, the Clerk to Parliament will read Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure governing the election.

Nominated candidates will be required to formally accept their nominations before voting proceeds.

Once results are declared, President Museveni will administer the oath of office to the new Speaker in accordance with Article 82(10) of the Constitution and hand over the instruments of power.

The newly elected Speaker is then expected to make an official communication from the Chair.

Parliament will subsequently elect the Deputy Speaker, after which the President will again administer the oath and hand over instruments of authority.

The Deputy Speaker will address the House before the President delivers closing remarks.

The opening of the 12th Parliament has drawn considerable political interest, as the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is expected to significantly influence the legislative agenda for the next five years.