#Parliament

At the end of a week-long induction seminar for Members of the 12th Parliament held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Uganda's Media Center Boss, Kasujja, encouraged the new MPs to promote Uganda's progressive agenda. This seminar aimed to prepare the parliamentarians for their roles and responsibilities in the legislative process.

Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, has urged for investigations into Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige regarding allegations of financial impropriety. He emphasized that all public officials accused of corruption should undergo due process, as stated in his message on X (formerly Twitter).

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has appointed three women Members of Parliament to represent backbenchers on the Parliamentary Commission, as part of the process to establish the leadership and administrative framework of the 12th Parliament. This decision was made by the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC), which is led by President Yoweri Museveni.

Chris Ariko Obore, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Parliament, has been arrested along with seven other senior parliamentary staff during an operation by the Inspectorate of Government. This action is part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption related to the misuse of SACCO funds within Parliament, marking a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of the institution's leadership.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo recounted the chaotic events of June 25, 2024, when Gen Z protesters breached security and stormed Parliament during anti-tax demonstrations. In a podcast interview, she noted that opposition MPs faced a numerical disadvantage against government-allied lawmakers, with 195 voting in favor of proposed amendments to the Finance Bill and 106 against. Odhiambo expressed that many key moments from that day remain unreported.

The Tobacco Bill has been advanced by Parliament, with approximately 10 committee members in favor and one opposed. The bill will undergo a detailed clause-by-clause analysis and consideration, as MPs aim for balanced regulation and a crackdown on illicit trade, according to IOL.

Members of Parliament in Dar es Salaam expressed strong support for the amendments to the Finance Bill, 2026, viewing them as a significant relief for citizens. The government incorporated recommendations from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Budget, which was praised by lawmakers during the National Assembly debate.

Ahead of planned Gen Z memorial protests, heavy police presence and barbed wire barriers have been deployed around sections of Parliament and nearby access roads in Nairobi, significantly restricting movement within parts of the Central Business District, according to Capital FM.

Tanzania's Parliament approved the TZS 62.33 trillion (approximately USD 24 billion) budget for the 2026/27 fiscal year on 23 June 2026, with 385 out of 393 votes in favor. The budget, which will take effect on 1 July 2026, includes a commitment to settle TZS 1.2 trillion in arrears and implement tighter expenditure controls following a week of debate and the passage of the Finance Bill 2026.

The impeachment committee in Parliament is set to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa's alleged involvement in the theft of foreign currency from his Limpopo farm, known as Phala Phala. This meeting marks a significant step in addressing the accusations against the president.

Former Uchumi workers have submitted a petition to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula regarding unpaid dues. They claim that their attempts to obtain payment through the company's management and administrators have been unsuccessful.

Parliament has approved the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Agency in Kenya, aimed at coordinating the country's response to digital threats. This decision comes as Kenya's digital economy grows and raises questions about how to protect infrastructure that increasingly relies on software and networks. Currently, Kenya has several existing cyber institutions addressing these challenges.