Oboth reveals plans to revive Institute of Parliamentary Studies with German support
Oboth said the institute will henceforth become a central engine for training, research, and capacity building, with cooperation and technical support from the German Parliament under a planned Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Ambassador Sommer welcomed the initiative, stressing that such exchanges are mutually beneficial, deepening Germany’s understanding of Uganda, Eastern Africa, and the African continent. (Courtesy Photo)
DIPLOMACY
KAMPALA - The Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has revealed that Parliament is set to re-establish its Institute of Parliamentary Studies.
The Speaker made the revelation today morning (September 22) while meeting the new German Ambassador to Uganda, Sigrid Sommer, who paid a courtesy call in his chambers at the Parliament buildings.
“We are restarting our Institute of Parliamentary Studies to train, expose, and broaden the minds of our members and staff,” Oboth said.
Oboth said the institute will henceforth become a central engine for training, research, and capacity building, with cooperation and technical support from the German Parliament under a planned Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
“Through cooperation with the German Parliament, we will learn and unlearn, adopt best practices, and strengthen parliamentary diplomacy,” Oboth revealed.
During the courtesy call, the Speaker also announced that the revived institute will serve as a hub for professional development of Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff, anchored in structured collaboration with Germany.
Speaker Oboth further revealed that the diplomatic cooperation would also support joint engagements on trade, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and governance. (Courtesy Photo)
Ambassador Sommer welcomed the initiative, stressing that such exchanges are mutually beneficial, deepening Germany’s understanding of Uganda, Eastern Africa, and the African continent.
To anchor the institute’s work and broader cooperation, Oboth proposed a formal MOU between the Parliament of Uganda and the German Parliament.
He said such an MOU would facilitate delegations of MPs and, where appropriate, investors between the two countries.
He further revealed that the diplomatic cooperation would also support joint engagements on trade, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and governance.
“We really want to enable Parliament to complement traditional diplomacy, working alongside the head of state and government to ease bottlenecks for investors and development partners. Parliamentary diplomacy will complement mainstream diplomacy, not compete with it,” Oboth emphasised, adding that “Through Parliament-to-Parliament cooperation, we can enhance trade, deepen bilateral relations, and help unlock opportunities for our people.”
Ambassador Sommer noted that an active parliamentary group on Eastern Africa in the German Bundestag had planned visits on humanitarian assistance and human rights, and are expected to be rescheduled after an earlier postponement due to the Ebola outbreak in May this year. (Courtesy Photo)
According to the agreement, Ugandan MPs and staff will participate in exchange and study visits to Germany to learn from parliamentary processes and institutions.
The institute will also promote comparative learning, helping Parliament modernise its work and improve legislative performance.
Ambassador Sommer noted that an active parliamentary group on Eastern Africa in the German Bundestag had planned visits on humanitarian assistance and human rights, and are expected to be rescheduled after an earlier postponement due to the Ebola outbreak in May this year.
The envoy added that there were ongoing scholarship and internship programmes for African countries, including a Ugandan participant set to intern at a German institution.
Both sides agreed that re-establishing the Institute of Parliamentary Studies, backed by a structured MOU, will mark a new phase in the Uganda–Germany parliamentary cooperation, strengthen institutions, enhance skills, and advance shared strategic interests.
About the Institute
The Institute of Parliamentary Studies is being revived as Uganda’s dedicated centre for training, research, and policy support for Mps and staff. Through international partnerships, including the proposed cooperation with the German Parliament, the Institute will promote best practices, comparative learning, and professional excellence to reinforce Uganda’s legislative institution.
The Institute traces its roots to 2012, when the Parliamentary Commission moved to provide specialised in-house training in the workings of Parliament.