𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚, 𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 
𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula re-elected as Africa bloc representative in the Standing Committee of the CSPOC during 27th Convention.

Speaker Wetang’ula was appointed by consensus to serve a second term in the Committee due to his exceptional leadership ability.

Speaker Wetang’ula was returned to the Standing Committee during the Africa Region Geo - Political meeting held at the sidelines of the 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 (𝐂𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐂) in Kampala, Uganda. 

Notably, the Africa region has three  representatives in the CSPOC Standing Committee hence Dr. Wetang’ula will represent Africa alongside the Speakers of Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini. 

However, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda automatically remained the Chair of the Committee for having hosted the conference as stipulated in the rules of CSPOC that the host Speaker remains a member of the Standing Committee for institutional memory and continuity. 

The Standing Committee of the CSPOC is mandated to propose Draft Agenda for discussion in the next Conference; review standing rules and consider financial matters of CSPOC; as well as decide dates, venues and procedures for the next Conference.

During the convention, participants discussed emerging issues affecting the Africa continent in particular climate change effects, legislation affecting the Africa clusters, unity in Africa region as well as nomination of African Representatives to the Standing Committee of CSPOC.

Hon. Wetang’ula, together with his Senate counterpart, the Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi attended the 27th CSPOC convention held at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda.

During the convention, Speaker Wetang’ula delivered a high level key note address on climate change; a topic his passionate about and was highly recognized and commended by the forum attendees. 

“As Parliaments, we have the power of legislation. Our Parliaments therefore need to keep pace with the fast-transforming world where the philosophy of green competition is gaining traction and is going to determine growth and development of the future”, said Speaker Wetang’ula. 

Dr. Wetang’ula stated that it was critically important to safe guard natural resources for a proper eco-system existence in a natural manner. 

He underpinned the role played by legislators in representing their electorates indicating that Parliaments should prioritize climate change as an emergency that needs to be tackled with the seriousness it deserved.   

Notably, other diverse matters touching inclusive Parliaments, security for Members of Parliaments, Health and Well-being of legislators, gender and youth governance were tackled during the conference as priority issues that needs to be addressed. 

The convention which attracted thirty-three Speakers and Presiding Officers from more than 25 Commonwealth Parliaments across the globe addressed an array of issues affecting Parliaments both in plenary and committees geared towards enhancing Parliamentary Democracy. 

The Conference was opened by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni who told Speakers to consider formulation of positive legislations that are focused on developing the continent. 

The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda and the host of the conference commended Parliaments attending the conference noting that it was a show of togetherness in the spirit of nurturing Parliamentary democracy. 

The CSPOC conference brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Parliaments and Legislatures of the Commonwealth focusing on the sharing of experiences and collaboration. The CSPOC body was created in 1969 by Hon. Lucien Lamoureux, 27th Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons to focus on the role of Speakers within parliamentary institutions and CSPOC is a separate independent organization, although many of its participants are also members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a conference every two years. The next host for the 28th biennial conference was elected to be the Parliament of India in January 2026. 

The two Speakers were accompanied by the Deputy Clerks of the two Houses of Parliament, Ms. Serah Kioko and Mr. Mohammed Ali.