Speaker orders report on delayed Roko chambers construction

Speaker Among

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has directed the Commissioners of the House to provide a comprehensive report on the state of the new parliamentary chambers, currently under construction, within two weeks.

The Speaker issued this directive during a plenary session on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, following a concern raised by Patrick Oshabe, the Kassanda North Constituency representative. Oshabe, speaking on a matter of national importance, urged the House to seek clarity on the status of the project.

“As MPs, we need a comprehensive report from the current Parliamentary Commissioners about the state of the new chambers,” Oshabe said. In response, Speaker Among immediately instructed the Commissioners to submit the report within a fortnight. “Commissioners, we want a report in two weeks’ time,” she directed.

The Commissioners of the Eleventh Parliament, as of 13th July 2021, include Among herself (Chairperson), Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija. Other Commissioners include backbenchers Solomon Silwany, Esther Afoyochan, Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira, and Joel Ssenyonyi.

The Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, serves as the Secretary. The construction of the new parliamentary chambers, estimated to cost UGX 206 billion, began in July 2017 and was initially expected to be completed by July 2020. However, the project, overseen by Roko Construction Company LTD, has faced multiple delays and extensions, leading to frustration among lawmakers.

Once completed, the new chambers are expected to address the current space constraints by providing seats for 600 legislators, a significant increase from the current 100. The building, with nine floors, will also house an ultra-modern museum, a state-of-the-art archiving facility, a gallery, and additional office space.

The current chambers, built in 1956 during the British colonial era, were designed for only 88 MPs. Parliament currently accommodates 559 MPs and employs over 450 staff, who are also affected by the lack of sufficient office space.

To address this issue, the Parliamentary Commission, established under Section 2(2) of the Administration of Parliament Act and Article 87A of the Constitution, initiated the construction of the new chambers.

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URN

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