Charles Odongtho

Building bilateral partnerships that last beyond a single meeting requires House-to-House friendships in the form of Parliamentary Diplomacy. I have held several meetings on the sidelines of the just concluded 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which included two important partners – the Russian State Duma and the Thailand House of Representatives delegations. While meeting the delegation from Russia early this week, in New Delhi, we exchanged invitations to visit Kampala and Moscow. The meetings will help our parliamentarians and staff to learn from the experiences of both countries. The Duma will set up a group of deputies dedicated to relations with Uganda. Russia supplies most of the wheat we import, and I want to see more Ugandan coffee reach Russian consumers. With Speaker Sophon Saram of Thailand’s House of Representatives, I exchanged gifts in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Uganda and Thailand are both BRICS partner countries, yet our trade remains small. In 2025, Uganda sold goods worth $383,530 to Thailand and bought goods worth $27.25 million. A parliamentary friendship group between our two Houses will help close that gap. Our delegation, including Leader of the Opposition Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, showed both partners that Government and Opposition stand together on matters of national interest for Uganda. #BRICSPF2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #Uganda #Russia #Thailand

Dear Fellow Citizens, I arrived in New Delhi today for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which runs from 26 to 27 October under the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development.” I am joined by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi (Nakawa West), Hon. Betty Nakisita Mpongo (Namutumba District), Hon. Sowedi Ismail Mulemya (Busia Municipality) and Hon. Annet Katusiime Mugisha (Bushenyi District). Government and Opposition are here together for Uganda’s national interest. As a BRICS partner country, our delegation will contribute to discussions on building strong institutions, how to ensure sustainable development and a fairer global governance, digital innovation and human-centred artificial intelligence. This all because we have placed our people at the centre of the legislative agenda of the 12th Parliament. #BRICSPF2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #BRICS2026

This afternoon in my communication to the House, I welcomed Members and reported on our recent Inter-Parliamentary Union engagements in Arusha, Tanzania. Our hosts received us warmly in the true East African spirit. I congratulated Hon. @EvelyneNinsiim1 on her appointment to the IPU High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, and Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou on her appointment to the Committee on Peace and International Security. Our participation also included the EAC Speakers’ Bureau meeting, where we discussed preparations for the December EAC Parliamentary Games. Uganda has a strong sporting reputation, and I urged our teams to prepare well.⁠ The House then adopted the report of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, presented by MP Patrick Aeku, on human-wildlife conflicts. Key recommendations include a dedicated ring-fenced HWC Mitigation and Compensation Fund, increased budgets and equipment for the HWC Division including phased electric fencing, a national digital management system within 12 months, an inter-ministerial coordination committee, integration of HWC into land-use plans, stronger community participation, and accelerated review of the Wildlife Act. Prevention must come first, with fair and timely compensation as a safety net.⁠ After a spirited debate, the report was adopted. I thank the 49 Members who contributed—time was limited—and the Committee leadership and members. The 12th Parliament has a distinctive breed of committees producing unique work. The Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, a Private Member’s Bill by Hon. Bukenya Michael Iga (Bukuya County), was also tabled and the member granted for leave of parliament to present it. Patient safety and quality healthcare remain central to our people-centred legislation.

1/3 On Saturday, 26 September, I had the honour of representing H.E. the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, as chief guest at the Oak Jubilee celebrations marking 80 years of Mushanga Catholic Parish in Sheema District. It was my first visit to Greater Bushenyi since becoming Speaker, and I thank the people of Mushanga for their warm welcome. I conveyed the Vice President's congratulations to the Archdiocese of Mbarara and the Christians of Mushanga Parish. In her message, she described the Church as a key partner in national development, with a long record in education, healthcare, social welfare, peacebuilding and moral formation. She saluted the role of the churches in many communities where they set up schools and health facilities before government services arrived. She also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to raising household incomes and creating wealth and jobs.

On behalf of the 12th Parliament of Uganda, I have joined the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) currently under way in Arusha, Tanzania. At this historic assembly, I am accompanied by a delegation of Members of Parliament, in furtherance of our mission to strengthen the Inter-Parliamentary Union and multilateral parliamentary diplomacy. The Assembly is hosted by the National Assembly of Tanzania and runs from 5th to 9th October 2026 at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Arusha, United Republic of #Tanzania. The Assembly has brought together hundreds of lawmakers from around the world for a week of high-level parliamentary diplomacy, focused on enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all... 1/4 #IPU153 #OpenParliamentUG

Let me be clear about what we are pursuing. We are not asking for the unification of East Africa. Unity is when people agree to become one. Integration is when people agree to participate in common interests while keeping their unique identities. This can be done. The defence sector has already shown the way. It is ahead of everybody else. I reassured the meeting that the Parliament of Uganda will fully participate in the EALA Games, as we always have. We thank all who came to compete in Uganda. Dr. Wetang'ula reminded me of a fascinating story: we went to Mombasa and beat Kenya, and Kenya came to Uganda and took its revenge. That is what the Games are about! This time, everything is up for grabs. As Uganda, we are excited, and we shall be in Arusha to bring the trophy home! #EALA #EACIntegration #12thParliament

This was my very first Bureau meeting. I thought I was the brand-new baby in the room until I met my colleague, the Speaker from Somalia. He is two months old in office; I am three and a half months. So, we were both learning from the seniors who have walked this path longer. I congratulated him and privately asked, "What has become of us?" We used to come to Arusha on matters of defence, as we both served as ministers of defence. It might send the wrong signal that to become Speaker, you must first be a defence minister! But it means we go a long way back. We know each other deeply, and we bring to this Bureau a wealth of knowledge on the defence and security dimensions of our Community, a sector that is already well integrated. I also met the EALA MPs from Uganda and we discussed a number of issues pertinent to their work in Arusha. 3/

I told my colleagues: we did not choose to be East Africans; East Africa chose us. Echoing my senior brother, Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Wetang'ula, Speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, I said the role of our national parliaments in shaping the vision of our countries and the region cannot be overemphasised. I am excited by the commitment of the Partner States that brought us together in Arusha. 2/

I have successfully concluded a working visit to Arusha, Tanzania, where I joined my fellow Speakers of the East African Community (EAC) Partner States to discuss issues common to our parliaments. I was warmly received by colleagues of the EALA Uganda Chapter for the 21st EAC Bureau of Speakers Meeting. I thank the Speaker of EALA for hosting us. At the Bureau, we deliberated on how our national parliaments can deepen regional integration. The meeting also streamlined preparations for the 16th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games, to be hosted in Arusha later this year. 1/