There is a small but growing body of literature on the process of substantive (‘acting for’) representation of women on the African continent. So far this research has mainly been dominated by qualitative studies. This paper expands on this literature by offering a hierarchical growth curve analysis of Ugandan MPs’ activity level in the plenary proceedings in the national assembly from 1998-2008. Drawing on a unique dataset, the form and structure of change in the activity level of MPs is investigated as well as the determinants of their speech level in the plenary, with a particular focus on gender. Analysis suggests that contrary to expectations, there are no significant differences between female MPs and their male counterparts in their overall speech trajectories in plenary debates. Differences between female quota representatives and women elected on open seats are also ruled out. Yet a subtle gender effect is present in that the effect of experience does not operate the same across gender. Female legislators display a faster and steeper growth in speech over time than their male colleagues. The effect of position on speech level also varies with gender. Women MPs holding leadership positions in Parliament speak consistently more than any other group. At the same time female backbenchers constitute the least active segment of Parliament.
