Newcomer Nalukoola designated to two committees

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Parliament's newcomer Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, representing Kawempe North, has been designated to the committees on human rights and natural resources.

This comes a month after the National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator won a hotly contested by-election to replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya.

Nalukoola's placement on the natural resources committee was made by Opposition Chief Whip and fellow NUP MP, John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya County), during Wednesday's plenary.

Opposition Chief Whip and fellow NUP MP, John Baptist Nambeshe. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

This was done in consonance with Rule 187 (1) of the Rules of Procedure.

The provision provides for sectoral committees of the House, whose members shall be designated by whips on the basis of party or organisation representation and interests of independent members in the House at the beginning of every session of Parliament.

However, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who presided over the session, expressed concern about the committee's growing number of members.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. (Courtesy: X/@Parliament_Ug)

He said it is the reason they are looking to review committee budgets.

“Yesterday, I was looking through the natural resources committee, they are oversubscribed," said Tayebwa.

Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

"But since we are coming to the end, I can accommodate. But clerk, next time, we must put clear that this is the number. I have seen committees with nearly 60 people. Then you have another committee with around 30. That balance is very important.

"That’s why we are going to review your budgets as committees, because we were giving a standard amount for all committees," added the Deputy Speaker.

While tabling the presidential affairs committee’s minority report on the ministerial policy statements for the 2025/26 financial year, Erute South Jonathan Odur (UPC) disclosed that sh25b had been allocated to a total of 28 committees.

Erute South MP, Jonathan Odur (UPC), during the legal and parliamentary committee on April 9, 2025. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

Normally, the budget typically ranges between sh2m to sh3m per committee sitting.

Other than their sh11.7m monthly salary, Ugandan MPs are also entitled to daily per diem of sh400,000 for inland field visits, with most trips lasting three to five days.

Foreign oversight trips come with a per diem of $720 (about sh2.68m) per MP and $400 (around sh1.5m) per staff member. The cost of air tickets depends on the destination.

Meanwhile, during the same sitting on Wednesday, Nalukoola was also designated to the human rights standing committee in accordance with Rule 160 (2) of the Rules of Procedure.