Politics
Commonwealth chief pledges support for Uganda's Parliament
In a statement released by Tayebwa's office, Botchwey promised to work with Parliament on issues that the Deputy Speaker raised.
Commonwealth of Nations Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (L) was hosted by Deputy of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa (R) on her first visit to Uganda in her current role, in Kampala on October 7, 2026. (Credit: X/Thomas_Tayebwa)
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has pledged support for Uganda's Parliament to strengthen its effectiveness.
The Ghanaian diplomat made the pledge in Kampala during a meeting with Uganda's Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, on Wednesday this week.
Making her first visit to Uganda in her current role, Botchwey was accompanied by Uganda's foreign affairs minister Adonia Ayebare.
She had come to learn how Parliament is fulfilling its accountability mandate and explore ways in which the Commonwealth can support Uganda.
In a statement released by Tayebwa's office, Botchwey promised to work with Parliament on issues that the Deputy Speaker raised.
She noted that Parliament can be a stronger pillar of Uganda’s democratisation, accountability and promotion of liberties, which are cornerstones of the Commonwealth’s mission.
Botchwey also said one of her priorities is to make the Commonwealth more relevant to young people, who make up a large proportion of citizens in Commonwealth member states.
Some of the ideas discussed on making the Commonwealth more relevant to ordinary citizens included promoting free education, entrepreneurship, skilling young people, promoting dialogue among young people and supporting climate adaptation, among others.
Tayebwa said Parliament needs support in building the capacity of Members of Parliament and staff, as well as in digitising parliamentary processes.
“We need capacity building of our Members of Parliament so that we can effectively debate critical issues. Also, digitisation is very important for an effective Parliament, and we would like to get support."
Botchwey also said one of her priorities is to make the Commonwealth more relevant to young people, who make up a large proportion of citizens in Commonwealth member states.
Some of the ideas discussed on making the Commonwealth more relevant to ordinary citizens included promoting free education, entrepreneurship, skilling young people, promoting dialogue among young people and supporting climate adaptation, among others.
Tayebwa said Parliament needs support in building the capacity of Members of Parliament and staff, as well as in digitising parliamentary processes.
“We need capacity building of our Members of Parliament so that we can effectively debate critical issues. Also, digitisation is very important for an effective Parliament, and we would like to get support."
He said it would be useful for the Commonwealth Secretariat to organise visits and exchanges for Uganda’s Members of Parliament and staff to visit other parliaments and learn from their experiences.
A better Parliament
On the performance of Parliament, Tayebwa said the House is effectively carrying out its oversight role by holding the executive accountable.
He explained that this is being done by both ruling-party and opposition legislators. He cited opposition legislators chairing accountability committees and being given space on the floor of Parliament to raise issues they want addressed.
Opposition Chief Whip Paul Mwiru, who was also part of the meeting, said the 12th Parliament, under the leadership of Jacob Marksons Oboth and his deputy Tayebwa, is cultivating a culture of mutual respect that did not exist before and giving opposition legislators the space and resources they need to perform their duties.
“The atmosphere is that we can raise anything. We are on the right trajectory...the room exists for us to raise the issues,” he said.
“I want to thank the office of the Speaker because the oversight committees are now working very well; they are being facilitated."
A better Parliament
On the performance of Parliament, Tayebwa said the House is effectively carrying out its oversight role by holding the executive accountable.
He explained that this is being done by both ruling-party and opposition legislators. He cited opposition legislators chairing accountability committees and being given space on the floor of Parliament to raise issues they want addressed.
Opposition Chief Whip Paul Mwiru, who was also part of the meeting, said the 12th Parliament, under the leadership of Jacob Marksons Oboth and his deputy Tayebwa, is cultivating a culture of mutual respect that did not exist before and giving opposition legislators the space and resources they need to perform their duties.
“The atmosphere is that we can raise anything. We are on the right trajectory...the room exists for us to raise the issues,” he said.
“I want to thank the office of the Speaker because the oversight committees are now working very well; they are being facilitated."