Another Ugandan MP appointed to IPU top organ

Rukungiri Municipality MP Ronald Kaginda has been appointed to the committee of democracy and human rights of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Serbia, for a two-year term.

Shortly after his appointment at the just concluded 141st IPU assembly, Kaginda said there is a need for national dialogue where the government and opposition can work together and change the state of affairs in their respective countries.

"There is a need for cooperation between the government, opposition and civil society in the respective countries if the countries are to move forward in fulfilling citizens agendas," Kaginda, who represents the entire opposition in Uganda on IPU, said.

"The cooperation to some extent eases Government to focus on developments, especially social services like hospitals, schools, healthcare but wars have actually caused impoverished many countries, led to tribal conflicts and corruption," he later told New Vision in a phone interview from the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

The membership on the IPU executive committee provides an opportunity for Uganda to influence key decisions of IPU as well as present a case for better representation of the East African Community and Africa at large.

Kaginda noted that there is a need to build systems and institutions in IPU member states that are national in nature and self-sustaining other than having personalised institutions that cannot act independently.

"So I think cooperation with strong independent institutions can help a country to develop," he stressed.

The Forum for Democratic Change legislator, who replaced Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye at IPU after the latter had been appointed the parliamentary commissioner, called upon governments, especially in Africa to desist from personalising issues of national interest.

The former shadow minister for public service and former deputy Opposition Chief Whip in the Ugandan Parliament urged African governments to be more accommodative of people with divergent views.

Kaginda also said he will ensure member states promote accountability by setting clear national targets, strengthening the involvement of think tanks, academia and civil society in monitoring the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty by 2030, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals which expired in 2015, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities.

Kaginda also pledged to hold IPU member states accountable for the UN commitments, resolutions and declarations of various decisions.

"I also pledged to support legislation on national constitutions to provide social services, including health and general infrastructure," he said.

His colleagues from Uganda led by Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and legislators from other parliaments congratulated him and asked him to work hard to help achieve IPU objectives.

They were happy that he had joined the fight against corruption.