Uganda Parliament Building

The Uganda Parliamentary building is one of the important and interesting tourist sites within Kampala City, Uganda’s Capital. It is an evidence of Independence that Uganda gained in 1962 from the British Government.

The large parliament House is found at Plot 16-18 along Parliamentary Avenue, and the Parliamentary building is made up of 350 rooms. The foundation stone for this spectacular building was laid on 18^th December 1956 by then Governor of Uganda known as Sir Andrew Cohen.

Its construction started in 1958 and on the 5^th October 1962, then Prime Minister Apollo Milton Obote laid the foundation stone for the phenomenal Independence Arch at the entrance of the Parliamentary Building.

The North wing of the Uganda Parliament Building is where you will find the Speaker’s Office and the Deputy speaker’s offices, Members of Parliament, Library and other staffs’ offices whereas the office of the Public Relation, Clerk to Parliament and the senior staff of the Parliamentary service are found within the Southern wing of the Parliament building.

This exceptional place in Uganda can be accessed through the main entrance found along Parliamentary Avenue and mainly leads to the Southern wing of the building. Besides that, the Northern wing can be accessed through two entrances that include the one opposite the National Theatre along Siad Barre Avenue and the one opposite the Nile Conference Center along Shimoni Road. With these, you will be able to enter this wonderful site. Tourists interested in visiting the Uganda Parliament building are advised to use the gates at the Northern wing because it offers the easiest and less challenging entrance into the public gallery.

Interestingly, other venues of Parliament sittings can be organized by the speaker especially during special events or sittings for instance when the President is planning to deliver the State of Nation address or when they Minister of Finance is presenting the National budget for the financial year.

The Uganda Parliament building has special features that include the chamber, which is the most significant room in the Parliament house. It is found on the ground floor and is where the Members of Parliament (MPs) meet to conduct business during the plenary of Parliament. Some of the exceptional features of the Chamber include the “seat” for the Speaker presiding over proceedings of the House, the Table (considered the Clerk’s seat) and the members’ benches. The two main corridors opposite the Chamber are known as the Division lobbies whereas above the Chamber and lobbies are the Public gallery. The general public, press and visitors are only allowed at this gallery to see the proceedings of the house.

Another feature is the Independence Arch, which is the main feature at the main gate to the Parliament building along the parliamentary Avenue. It is a significant Monument constructed to celebrate Uganda’s Independence in 1962. Its foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister- Dr Apollo Milton Obote on the 5^th October 1962.

The Coat of Arms. This is one of the country’s important National symbols and is placed in the foyer to the left of the entrance to the Parliament Chamber. Features the Uganda Kob and the Grey Crowned crane on the sides of the black shield to show the abundant wildlife in Uganda. In the Coat of Arms is also the sun that shows Uganda’s location and climate whereas the River and Lake show the vast Lake Victoria and Nile River that are Uganda’s main water bodies. The Drum is a symbol of Culture of Uganda.

The Parliamentary corridor of Honor is found on the first floor of the south wing and has portraits of the speakers of Parliament and their Deputies since Independence in 1962. It also shows the pictures of the Members of Parliament and other people on important parliamentary and other occasions.

The water Tower, the tank that supplies water to the whole of the parliament building. On top of it is light which when switched on in the dark shows that the House is sitting. It’s interesting that the light and Tower can all be seen from many parts of Kampala City. Therefore, you can visit the parliamentary building during Uganda safaris to marvel at the magnificent features.