The Parliament of Uganda is set to mark 100 years since its first sitting in 1921 when the country was still under British colonial rule.
The first Legislative Council (LEGCO) sitting was held at Entebbe High Court on March 21, 1921.
The sitting was meant to have seven members but had only six (all European) as Indians didn’t nominate a representative.
It was made up of the colonial Governor as President, and four officials namely: The Chief Secretary, the Attorney General, the Treasurer, and the Principal Medical Officer, plus two nominated non-officials who were: H.H. Hunter (a Lawyer from Kampala), H.E. Lewis (a Manager of the East Africa Company, which was the successor to the Imperial British East Africa Company).
The intention had been to have 3 non-official members made up of one representative of the planters and ginners, one representative from the business community and one Indian. The Indians wanted a representation in the LEGCO equal to the Europeans. This was refused on the grounds, according to the colonial government at the time that representation in the LEGCO was not based on any community group.
In 1921, the number of Asians in Uganda was 5,000. The Europeans numbered 1,000. There was, therefore, a vacant Asian position. This was filled on a temporary basis by Major A.L. Ranton, who was not a resident in Uganda, but had estates in Mityana, approximately 48 miles west of Kampala
According to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, a lot has changed over the 100 years and Ugandans are no longer spectators.
“Today, we are in charge of our affairs and are no longer mere spectators,” said Kadaga.
The mandate of Parliament has also widened as one of the arms of Government.
“Unlike in the past, today’s Parliament has a widened mandate, which entails Representation; Legislation; Appropriation; and Over-sight,” added Kadaga.
A Special Session is expected to be held in Parliament today and later followed by a photo exhibition.
