Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has urged Members of the 12th Parliament to work together and prioritise solutions to issues affecting ordinary citizens as they settle into their legislative duties.
Addressing legislators at the ongoing induction seminar at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Nabbanja thanked previous Parliaments for backing President Yoweri Museveni's development agenda and called on the current House to sustain that support.
"Work together to tackle issues affecting citizens. Parliament's strength lies in unity and putting the interests of Ugandans first above party and personal differences," Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja told the MPs.
The Premier credited President Museveni's leadership for Uganda's recent economic progress, noting that the country has made significant strides under the ruling National Resistance Movement government.
"Under the President's leadership, Uganda has graduated from the category of Least Developed Countries to lower middle-income status. Major strides have been made across all sectors of the economy," she said.
Nabbanja said the next target is to propel the country to upper middle-income status and asked the 12th Parliament to play its oversight and legislative role in supporting that goal.
"I urge the 12th Parliament to support the President and NRM in moving the country to upper middle-income status. This requires laws, budgets and oversight that are focused on service delivery and transformation," the Prime Minister added.
She also responded to concerns raised by MPs about ministers skipping parliamentary sittings, promising to enforce discipline within the Executive.
"I promise to whip the Ministers to ensure full attendance of all Parliamentary sittings in order to respond to MPs' concerns. Ministers must be here to answer questions and explain government programs," Nabbanja said.
The five-day induction programme at Munyonyo is equipping both new and returning MPs with knowledge on parliamentary procedures, committee work and legislative oversight ahead of the commencement of the full business of the 12th Parliament.
The induction is expected to strengthen legislators' understanding of their constitutional responsibilities, including lawmaking, budget scrutiny and oversight of government programmes, as Parliament prepares to tackle key national priorities in the new term.
