The Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies comprises the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and two Deputy Speakers. Among the Deputy Speakers, one is responsible for parliamentary affairs, and the other is esponsible for administration and finance.

Responsibilities of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies

The Bureau serves as the driving force behind the Chamber of Deputies, providing strategic leadership and ensuring its smooth day-to-day operations. Its responsibilities include heading Chamber activities, implementing decisions of the Plenary Assembly, preparing and adopting session agendas, and coordinating Standing Committees. The Bureau also oversees parliamentary diplomacy, institutional partnerships, and the organisational structure of the Chamber. It approves Committee Memberships, designates Deputies for official missions abroad, and ensures seamless coordination between the Chamber and the Office of the Clerk. 

The Plenary Assembly consists of all Deputies. The Plenary Assembly is the supreme organ of the Chamber of Deputies which is empowered to consider and pass laws and consider all matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Chamber of Deputies.

The functioning of the Plenary Assembly

The business of the Plenary Assembly commences at three (3:00) p.m. to close at six (6:00) p.m. during weekdays. In case of urgency, however, the time for commencing the business of the Plenary Assembly may change with the approval of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies.

The time for closing business of the Plenary Assembly may change at the request of the Chair of the sitting with the approval of an absolute majority vote of Deputies present.

The venue for the plenary sitting

The Plenary Sitting of the Chamber of Deputies is held in a building reserved for that purpose in the Capital City of the Republic, except in cases of force majeure approved by the Supreme Court at the request of the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.

In case the Supreme Court is also unable to sit, the President of the Republic determines, by a decree-law, the place for holding the sitting.

Adjournment of the plenary sitting

If for whatever reason, the adjournment of the sitting is required, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies notifies all Deputies thereof in writing or via any other communication channel.

Principle of opening to the public of plenary sittings

The plenary sittings of the Chamber of Deputies are public. By applying the principle of opening to the public of the plenary sittings, there are seats reserved for the general public in the Plenary Hall and in so doing, the Chamber of Deputies makes use of audio or audio-visual devices used to transmit the proceedings of the Plenary Assembly directly to the general public, where applicable. Also, recourse may be had to the social media of the Chamber of Deputies.

However, the Chamber of Deputies may, at the request of the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, the Prime Minister or a quarter (1/4) of members of the Chamber of Deputies, resolve to sit behind closed doors by an absolute majority of the votes of Deputies present. Such a resolution must be posted on the doors of the plenary hall of the Chamber of Deputies.

Conduct of persons inside the Plenary Hall during the proceedings of the Plenary Assembly

It is prohibited for any person to enter the Plenary Hall with a mobile phone or any other electronic device put on ring mode or anything else likely to disrupt the smooth running of the proceedings of the Plenary Assembly.

During the proceedings of the Plenary Assembly, all persons get seated and remain calm. No one is allowed to wear a hat unless otherwise exempted for professional and religious belonging reasons.

The Conference of Chairpersons consists of the Members of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies, together with the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of all Standing Committees.

Responsibilities

The Conference of Chairpersons serves as a key consultative and advisory body within the Chamber of Deputies, driving its legislative and institutional agenda. Its responsibilities include reviewing government bills and private Members’ bills, including constitutional revision proposals, approving the Chamber’s budget and organisational structure, and considering the draft agenda for ordinary sessions. The Conference also provides strategic guidance on annual and mid-term action plans, oversees public petitions submitted to the Chamber, and fosters cooperation between Deputies and staff. 

The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 9 Standing Committees.

Bureau of the Standing Committee

Each Standing Committee consists of a Bureau composed of a chairperson and a deputy chairperson.

The chairperson of the Standing Committee acts as its spokesperson and in case of his/her absence, the Deputy Chairperson acts as a spokesperson.

When members of the Standing Committee work in groups, the head of the group acts as a spokesperson. The deputy chairperson of the Standing Committee makes follow-up on the work in Committee and how reports transmitted to the Plenary Assembly are finalized.

Working hours for the Standing Committees

The Standing Committees’ work starts at nine (9:00) a.m. and concludes at twelve (noon) p.m. The starting or ending time of the work of the Committee may change at the Committee chairperson's request after approval thereof by consensus or failing which, by an absolute majority vote of the Committee members present.

Principle of opening Committee meetings to the public

Committee meetings are open to the public but those attending them as observers are not given the floor. However, the Committee may organise special sessions on a draft law or private member’s bill or a particular issue in which members of the public and journalists may be given the floor.

Where necessary and at the request of the Bureau of the Committee or of a member of the Committee and after approval by half (1/2) of the members of the Committee present, the meeting of the Committee may be held behind closed doors.

Venue for Committee meetings

Committee’ meetings take place in the Building of the Chamber of Deputies. Each Committee has its own meeting room and an office for its bureau and necessary equipment. The Committee also has support staff.

If necessary, for reasons of public interest and where cases of urgency so require, after consultation between the bureau of the Committee and the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies, the Committee may meet in a location other than the Building of the Chamber of Deputies.

Click on any committee below to view its mandate, responsibilities, leadership, and members.

Chamber of Deputies Standing Committees

1. Committee on Economy and Trade
2. Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports and Youth
3. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security
4. Committee on Governance and Gender Affairs
5. Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock and Environment
6. Committee on Social Affairs
7. Committee on State Budget and Patrimony
8. Committee on Unity, Human Rights and Fight against Genocide
9. Public Accounts Committee.

The Committee consist of at least 7 Deputies elected with due consideration given, where possible, to political organisations and other categories represented in the Chamber of Deputies.

Responsibilities of this Committee

The Committee serves as the guardian of parliamentary integrity and effectiveness by assessing the Chamber’s performance and recommending improvements, monitoring compliance with parliamentary values and ethics inside and outside Parliament, safeguarding Deputies’ immunity, and ensuring the Chamber’s operations remain firmly grounded in the rule of law.

Members

1. Hon. NYABYENDA Damien (Chairperson) 

2. Hon. UWINGABE Solange (Deputy Chairperson)

3. Hon. MUJAWABEGA Yvonne

4. Hon. NZAMWITA Deogratias

5. Hon. BIZIMANA MINANI Deogratias

6. Hon. TUMUSHIME Francine

7. Hon. NYIRABAZAYIRE Angelique

8. Hon. NIYORUREMA Jean Rene

9. Hon. UWAMURERA Salama

The Office of the Clerk constitutes the principal administrative and technical organ of the Chamber of Deputies. It is composed of the Clerk, the Deputy Clerk, and such other Members of staff as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions. The organisational structure of the Chamber of Deputies comprises the Office of the Clerk and such other departments as are required for the efficient and effective functioning of the Chamber. All departments so established are placed under the hierarchical authority of the Clerk and remain subject to the supervision of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies.

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