Uganda to host hundreds of Commonwealth MPs

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Uganda will host hundreds of delegates for a weeklong Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference starting Sunday aimed at discussing several topics, including issues concerning parliaments in the Commonwealth countries.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association said in a statement the conference will empower members with professional development, supportive learning and sharing of best practices with colleagues from all Commonwealth Parliaments.

According to the statement, over 500 participants are expected to attend the summit slated for Sept. 22-29 -- under the theme “Adaption, engagement and evolution of Parliaments in a rapidly changing Commonwealth” -- at Munyonyo Resort near the capital Kampala.

The participants will include Members of Parliaments, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth.

Uganda is hosting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference for the second time, since 1967. The country hopes to use the event to market some of its tourism sites.

“Uganda has a major opportunity this year to market itself. We expect revenue from participants of the conference. They will [go sightseeing] dance to our music and eat our food. All this will boost our economy,” Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga was quoted as saying by local media recently.