The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, will this Sunday (December 31) begin receiving delegates arriving for the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC). 

They will, therefore, celebrate their New Year in Kampala.

On Friday, Tayebwa together with other organising committee members for the conference, held a meeting for final touches of preparations in Parliament.

The conference will take place between January 3 and January 6 at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. The official opening ceremony is expected to take place on January 4 and will be presided over by President Yoweri Museveni.

Tayebwa asked the team to have a topic of international significance for which the 27th #CSPOC2024 can be remembered for, suggesting having a carbon-neutral conference. Tree planting is one of the scheduled activities during the excursion.

He said that #CSPOC2024 will use Kiira electric vehicle buses in order to reduce carbon production.

“You have done a wonderful, fantastic job. We are proud of you,” Tayebwa told the organising committee.

'Ready to host'

Speakers, presiding officers and/or spouses and accompanying persons are expected to visit Namugongo Martyrs shrines, Makerere University and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (formerly The Zoo).

“We have made progress in the preparations. As the organising committee, we are ready to host, everything is ready. These dedicated staff will make you proud,” said Tayebwa.

Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu, the chairperson of the coordination committee of the conference, expressed appreciation to the various stakeholders, including the security forces and the immigration department for their contribution to the preparations.

Over 43 countries have confirmed participation at the conference.

Charles Bukuwa, an information officer from Parliament, in an update on the forthcoming CSPOC said they expect the arrival of the first delegates in Kampala this Sunday.

“The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, will be in charge of receiving various delegations at Entebbe Airport,” said Bukuwa. 

CSPOC membership consists of 74 speakers and presiding officers of national parliaments from 52 Commonwealth countries.

Katuntu said Uganda stands to benefit from this conference as the trickle-down effects on the economy will be felt immediately and thereafter. 

“There will be private visits to the different attractions around Uganda and this will enhance the tourism potential and subsequently, increase income."