Artificial intelligence is already revolutionizing lawmaking around the world. Lawmakers can use artificial intelligence for impact assessment, predictive modeling, and data analysis, which allows them to better assess the economic, social, and environmental impacts of proposed bills. In addition, AI can increase citizen engagement by analyzing large-scale public consultations, identifying key patterns, and identifying underrepresented points of view - a task that has become impossible to handle manually.
The limitations of manual processing were highlighted during the debate surrounding the Sovereignty Act of 2026. It was noted that legislators face difficulties in reviewing the large number of documents received from the public, which indicates the inefficiency of the current consultation and petition processes. In addition to enacting laws, artificial intelligence can also support post-legislative review by monitoring the implementation of laws and their actual results, creating vital feedback between policy and practice.
Although the opportunities are huge, the risks are no less significant. Artificial intelligence is developing faster than parliamentary cycles, which often leads to a lag in regulation. Current regulations and parliamentary procedures in Uganda rarely take algorithmic support into account, and existing capacity gaps create a dangerous dependence on external suppliers.
The Parliament of the 12th convocation should take a critical approach to this transition process, using the established international framework to guide its strategy. Resources such as the Westminster Foundation for Democracy's AI Handbook, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Concept of Maturity, and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Responsible Use of AI provide practical guidance on ethics, governance, and capacity building.
By starting with pilot programs, investing in a reliable database, and introducing artificial intelligence into transparent governance structures based on ethics, the 12th Parliament will be able to modernize its functions and better serve the people of Uganda.
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