Politics 15 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda and Pakistan Vow to Boost Economic Ties and Parliamentary Cooperation
Parliamentary leaders from Uganda and Pakistan have committed to strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on economic partnerships and knowledge sharing, following discussions at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-pakistan-speakers-agree-to-deepen-bilateral-cooperation-5596592
Ugandan Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has expressed Uganda’s readiness to deepen economic ties with Pakistan, recognizing the significant contributions of the Pakistani community to Uganda’s economy. Speaking at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Oboth highlighted that the presence of Pakistani businesses and residents in Uganda provides a solid foundation for enhanced bilateral engagement.
Mr. Oboth advocated for a shift from ceremonial interactions to practical collaborations in areas such as trade, economic diplomacy, capacity building, research, climate change, and education. He emphasized the crucial role of legislatures in driving national and economic development through the effective use of legislative tools.
He further proposed exchange programs and the sharing of experiences, noting Uganda’s Institute of Parliamentary Studies as a resource. The Speaker suggested that parliamentary bodies should actively address pressing socio-economic issues affecting their citizens.
In response, Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, welcomed Uganda’s commitment and affirmed Pakistan’s focus on Africa as a foreign policy priority. He proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize cooperation between their parliaments and invited Mr. Oboth for a visit to Pakistan. Mr. Sadiq also shared Pakistan’s initiatives in digitalization and climate-conscious parliamentary practices as potential avenues for joint action.
The two Speakers agreed to pursue these proposals through their respective foreign affairs and parliamentary channels, aiming to convert the positive momentum generated at the CPC into tangible bilateral outcomes. The conference itself, themed “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership,” brought together over 800 parliamentarians and governance experts from across the Commonwealth.