Parliamentary diplomacy expands in Uganda and Nigeria

Uganda’s 12th Parliament is resuming plenary sessions with a focus on international partnerships, infrastructure, and domestic disputes. Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa are prioritizing diplomatic engagements with partners including the European Parliament, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. Domestic priorities include addressing land ownership disputes in Wakiso District, infrastructure needs such as the Lumino–Mulwanda border road in Busia District, and requests for government funding to support affordable housing.

In Nigeria, Senate President Godswill Akpabio utilized parliamentary diplomacy at the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. Akpabio supported the candidacy of Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, who was elected as the 32nd IPU President. This diplomatic effort aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Australia across sectors such as mining, agriculture, and security.