By our reporter
AUSTRALIA
Uganda has been selected to host the 27th Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) that will be held from 3rd to 6th January, 2024.
Uganda was confirmed as the next year’s conference host at the ongoing CSPOC in Canberra, Australia.
On Wednesday, January 2023, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa said Uganda is all ready for the Commonwealth big dance.
“Parliament of Uganda has been chosen to host the next Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers’ Conference, a very important conference which is part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,” Tayebwa said.
He said nearly all Parliamentary Speakers from Common wealth jurisdictions are excited about visiting Uganda next year.
Tayebwa said the opportunity to host the conference is a vote of confidence within the country, Uganda people and the government.
“The hospitality that we have as a country is what everyone has been telling me about. They are looking forward to visiting our beautiful country and most of them are promising to come with their families,” Tayebwa, who was elected Vice Chairperson of the Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference said.
Several Speakers of Parliaments have confirmed attending, including Sir Lindsay Hoyle, House of Commons, UK, Milton Dick Parliament of Australia, Adrian Rurawhe of New Zealand and Mahinda Yapa of Sri Lanka.
This is the first CSPOC to be held in three years, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“The last few years have taught us that things can change very quickly, and the role of parliamentary institutions has been reinforced. It is so important for us to work together and learn from one another,” Speaker Milton Dick said.
The first CSPOC was held in Canada in 1969.