In a move that will make Ugandans who have been complaining about the huge size of Parliament – and government generally – a little unhappier, the number of Ugandan MPs will increase ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Currently standing at 553 MPs for a population of 45.9 million people (according to the 2024 population census figures), the number will increase as government operationalizes new cities in addition to the already existing 10 and Kampala Capital City.
In 2020, Parliament approved the creation of 15 new cities in the country in accordance with with Article 179(1) (A) of the Constitution on alteration of boundaries and Section 7 (2a) of the Local Governments Act CAP.243 on declaration of cities.
The new cities were supposed to become operational in a phased manner, with the first batch beginning on July 01, 2020 and the last in July 2023. The cities supposed to begin on July 01 2020 were: Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Fort Portal and Masaka.
Those supposed to become operational on July 01 2021 were Hoima, Lira and Soroti. Entebbe City was supposed to become operational on July 01, 2022 while Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso were supposed to become cities on July 01, 2023.
As of today, Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, and Wakiso are yet to become operational as cities as had been planned. When Entebbe Municipality MP Michael Kakembo tasked Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to explain the delay, she confirmed that the five will become operational on July 01, 2025.
Nabbanja explained that the amendment, in August 2020, of the Local Government Act Cap 138, made it clear that new administrative units and local governments can only become operational half a year (six months) to general elections.
“This amendment affected the next phase of five cities. The Ministry of Local Government is currently carrying out the technical studies and consultations with stakeholders in the five cities to prepare them for operationalization on July 01, 2025, subject to the guidance of Cabinet,” she responded to Kakembo.
The creation of five new cities will see new divisions or constituencies that require MPs to represent them in Parliament created. It is not yet clear how many constituencies will be created but the figure will be clear as the operationalization takes shape.
Critics have been castigating government over the huge cost of public administration. Months ago, government added an extra burden to taxpayers when it recruited over 300 new assistant RDCs on top of existing Resident District Commissioners and their deputies. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
Key Dates for the 2026 General Elections – Presidential, Parliamentary & Local Governments
POPULATION CENSUS RESULTS: See Ugandan Cities with Highest, Lowest Number of People
