Analysis
Speaker Kadaga’s outstanding achievements in engaging Commonwealth Parliamentarians gives Uganda credit
Rt. Hon. Kadaga in one of the many engagements of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The fruits of unwavering commitment to building ties in the Commonwealth
As Uganda Prepares to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference from Sept 22 to 29, 2019, it is important to note that the role played by Speaker Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga in engaging with other members of the association, for several years, has been outstanding and has greatly contributed to Uganda’s choice as a host.
Uganda’s choice to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is a milestone achievement for the country but also for the leadership of 10th Parliament under the stewardship of Rt. Hon. Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.
Indeed, the decision by the Assembly of the 63th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), to select Uganda to host this year’s conference comes as no accident, considering the very active role played by Rt. Hon. Kadaga and other Members of Parliament in previous engagements held under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Until her election as the President Designate of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Rt. Hon. Kadaga has been a vocal person and a rallying point not only in the CPA but also in other global fora such as the Inter-Parliaentary Union (IPU) where she has championed a number of causes ranging from Women’s rights, good governance and democracy, the environment and the need for inclusive policies that particularly aim at addressing the marginalisation of women and youth.
Rt. Hon. Kadaga is a respected voice in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga held the CPA Officer position of Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) from 2013-2016. She had previously been the Vice-Chairperson of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (International) as well as an Executive Committee Member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly representing Africa.
During this period, she spearheaded a campaign of engaging leaders of political parties to appreciate the value of increasing the number of women in high positions of leadership.
She is also credited for working tirelessly in promoting inter-regional cooperation among members of the CWP and for introducing a number of innovations including the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians strategy that has proven key in guiding parliamentarians to discuss ‘Political Violence against Women.’
Early last year (March), Speaker Kadaga, acting as Vice President of the CPA, then actively participated in framing the revised and updated CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures. The Benchmarks are a tool to provide Parliaments across the Commonwealth with assistance to strengthen their capacity to adhere to good governance principles.
Originally published in 2006 but revised and updated in 2018 to bring them in line with the Commonwealth Charter and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, the purpose of the CPA Benchmarks is to encourage Parliaments and Legislatures to undertake their own self-assessments based on a Commonwealth standard which is specifically designed to help Parliaments identify possible new ways to function more effectively.
About the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
Uganda is set to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) between September 22 and 29, 2019.
It will be the second time the country is hosting the conference for only the second time in the 108-year history of the Association.
The last time Uganda hosted the event was in 1967.
This year, an estimated 1000 delegates are expected to participate in the 64th CPC that will be held at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, who is also the President Designate of the CPA will be the Chief Host of the Conference.
The theme of the conference is: “Adaption, engagement, and evolution of parliaments in a rapidly changing Commonwealth’.
During the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 37th CPA Small Branches Conference; 6th triennial Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference; 64th CPA General Assembly; meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.
This year, the conference will hold elections for the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), the CPA Treasurer and the CPA Small Branches Chairperson for new three-year terms.
About the CPA
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) brings together Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff together to exchange ideas among themselves and with experts in various fields, to identify benchmarks of good practices and new policy options they can adopt or adapt in the governance of their societies.
The CPA connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth.
The CPA has membership in 53 countries with a combined population of more than 2.4 billion people, with more than 60% of the population still under 30 years of age.
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