Article 80. Establishment, composition and functions of Parliament
Qualifications and disqualifications of members of Parliament
This is the official English text as consolidated on 31 December 2023. The English text is the law.
A person is qualified to be a member of Parliament if that person—
is a citizen of Uganda;
is a registered voter; and
has completed a minimum formal education of Advanced Level standard or its equivalent which shall be established in a manner and at a time prescribed by Parliament by law.
A person is not qualified for election as a member of Parliament if that person—
is of unsound mind;
is holding or acting in an office the functions of which involve a responsibility for or in connection with the conduct of an election;
is a traditional or cultural leader as defined in Article 246(6) of this Constitution;
has been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in Uganda and has not been discharged;
is under a sentence of death or a sentence of imprisonment exceeding nine months imposed by any competent court without the option of a fine;
has, within the seven years immediately preceding the election, been convicted by a competent court of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or
has, within the seven years immediately preceding the election, been convicted by a competent court of an offence under any law relating to elections conducted by the Electoral Commission.
Under the movement political system, a person elected to Parliament while he or she is a member of a local government council or holds a public office shall resign the office before assuming the office of a member of Parliament.
Under the multiparty political system, a public officer or a person employed in any government department or agency of the government or an employee of a local government or any body in which the government has controlling interest, who wishes to stand in a general election as a member of Parliament shall resign his or her office at least ninety days before nomination day.
Notes
- See Revisers' Note (ii) at the end of the Constitution