CPC team takes shape ahead of conference

The Parliament of Uganda, under the leadership of Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, is set to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Uganda from  September 22, to 29, 2019.

Kadaga who is also the president-designate (2018-2019) of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will host the conference along the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Uganda branch.

Uganda offered to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference that is preceded by the 63rd session that was held in Dakar, Bangladesh in 2017.

As the conference draws near, preparations for a successful event are in high gear. But do you know the people behind the preparations for this international event that will attract over 500 parliamentarians across the globe?  Well, New Visions' Henry Sekanjako brings you, the who is who in preparation for the conference.

Rebecca Kadaga, chairperson CPC coordination committee
Is the speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. She is also the Kamuli district woman member of Parliament. 

Kadaga is the president-designate of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and chairperson of the 64^th commonwealth Parliamentary Association coordinating committee.

The speaker will be responsible for chairing coordination meetings for the successful hosting of the CPC conference in Uganda.  However, a number of sub-committees have been set up and they will be chaired by different people.

Syda Bbumba, chairperson Accommodation committee
She is the MP, Nakaseke county North, in Nakaseke district. The former finance minister is also the chairperson Parliamentary committee on National economy.

Bbumba will be responsible for identifying a range of suitable Hotels, to accommodate the delegates and in particular to make necessary reservations, bookings and blockings off the hotels in accordance with the desires of the delegates. 

Elijah Okupa, chairperson Finance/Budget committee
He is the MP for Kasilo county subscribing to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). He is a former Parliamentary commissioner.

His role will be to handle finance /budget for CPC. Receive budgets from sub-committees for approval; ensure preparing the overall budget of the conference and availability of funds for the subcommittees and the conference.

He will also be responsible for demanding and ensuring the accountability of all funds spent on the conference.

Jalia Bintu, Chairperson Conference Management
She is the Woman MP, for Masindi district, and a former Parliamentary commissioner.  Her role will be to chair the conference management committee.

Bintu will coordinate all the meetings that will take place simultaneously with the conference such as the governance meetings (Executive committee, coordinating committee, Performance and review committee, commonwealth women Parliamentarians steering committee, and Conferences of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) and Small branches, SOCCATI.

Jacob Oboth Oboth, Chairperson Protocol and ceremonies
He is a seasoned lawyer and member of Parliament West Budama county South. He is currently the chairperson Parliament's committee on legal and parliamentary affairs.

Oboth will be responsible for coordinating all the protocol programmes of the conference, liaise with other agencies in the country on protocol issues such as the ministry of foreign affairs.

He will also be responsible for extracting the itineraries for all the delegates, their spouses, observers and accompanying persons for pickups from the airport and back to the airport.

Brig.Gen. Felix Kulayigye, chairperson security and Accreditation committee
He is the former army spokesperson and currently one of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) representatives in Parliament.

He will be chairing the sub-committee on security and accreditation of the CPC delegates. His role, will involve coordination and ensuring security before and during the conference, notifying the Inspector General of Police (IGP) about the conference and liaising with other security agencies over security matters.

He will be responsible for providing intelligence on planned criminal acts and crimes, Military Police to provide support in the event of civil disobedience and route security.

He will also coordinate the accreditation of participants in the conference.

Paula Turyahikayo, chairperson Entertainment Excursion and Tourism
She is the woman MP for Rukungiri district. Her role at the CPC will be to oversee the arrangement for the dinners, receptions and cocktails for the different categories of delegates.

To liaise with other organizations to promote Uganda in the tourism sector and also seek adverts to be published in magazines about Uganda.

Cecelia Ogwal, Chairperson Spouse programme committee
The Dokolo district woman MP, also former Parliamentary commissioner, will be in charge of the spouses' program.

Her role will be to note that the spousal programme is not mandatory and determine whether it shall be accepted since it is at the discretion of the host branch and to determine whether spouses should be charged and if so how much should be charged.

She will also be responsible for coordinating welfare of spouses such as confirmations of attendance, accommodation, transport, excursions and invitations in liaison with the line sub-committees.

Peter Ogwang ,  Chairperson Transport
The Usuk county MP in Katakwi district, also commissioner Parliament of Uganda, will be the head of the subcommittee on transport.

He will be responsible for identifying the nature and specifications of vehicles required for the different categories of delegates.

He will also be responsible for the procurement of the vehicles that will be required for use during the conference.

He will oversee the transportation of delegates from the airport, to the hotels, conference facilities, excursion and other places as shall be agreed upon.

Paul Amoru, Chairperson Media and Publicity
He is the Dokolo North MP, and a journalist by profession. Amoru is the chairperson Parliamentary forum on Media.

His role will be to coordinate and approve all media before, during and shortly after the conference. He will also liaise with the media houses both within and outside CPA headquarters secretariat on the publications to be made.

Robinah Nabbanja, Gifts and Souvenirs
The Kakumiro district woman MP, also commissioner Parliament of Uganda, will head the subcommittee on Gifts and Souvenirs for the CPC delegates.

Her role will be to plan and budget for the gifts to be given to the different categories of delegates. She will also be responsible for providing the gifts, to ensure that the gifts are distributed to the relevant delegates and spouses.

Dr. Michael Bukenya, Medical and First aid
The chairperson of the Parliamentary committee on health is the Bukuya county MP, in Mubende district. He will be the head of the subcommittee on Medical and first aid. His role will mainly revolve around coordination and offering basic medical care and emergencies of the delegates and their spouses.

His committee will be responsible for co-opting doctors, nurses and other medical personnel required to handle the number of delegates expected and to liaise with the ministry of health.

Paul Wabwiire, head of the secretariat
He is the deputy clerk Parliamentary affairs, the parliament of Uganda. He will be in charge of coordinating all communication from the CPA headquarters secretariat and the branches.

He will be responsible for issuing notices and invitations to the branches and to prepare information circular in liaison with the CPA headquarters secretariat