Uganda has made adequate preparations to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has said.
The Conference scheduled for 23 – 29 September 2019 will be held under the theme: ‘Adaption, Engagement and Evolution in a rapidly changing Commonwealth.
“This conference is important for Uganda because we last hosted this conference in 1967. We should encourage the delegates to come in early and take time to enjoy the tourist attractions,” said Kadaga.
Kadaga, who is the CPC President Designate 2018 to 2019, made the remarks while meeting Mr. Akbar Khan, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), at Parliament Building today, Wednesday, 6 February 2019.
Akbar Khan is in Uganda to assess the progress by the CPA Branch in preparations to host the week-long event. The Conference is expected to be attended by Speakers and Members of Parliament from the different commonwealth countries.
Kadaga said that the conference will extend the brand of Uganda’s tourism, owing to the number of delegates expected to attend the conference from the 53 commonwealth states.
Akbar Khan requested the Speaker to engage government institutions not to impose stringent visa requirements and to provide visas on arrival to delegates.
“I would suggest a provision of delegates getting their visas on arrival in Uganda, because most countries do not have a Ugandan consulate, which could cause delays in getting visas if they apply through other states,” said Akbar Khan.
He also raised concerns about security and transportation within the city for conference delegates, adding that Uganda was doing well on the ease-of-access to transport vis-à-vis traffic congestion.
“In Bangladesh we had a challenge of security and traffic, which are the biggest selling points for delegates. We do not have those issues in Uganda and that will be a positive aspect for delegates to enjoy,” Akbar Khan said.
Kadaga committed to follow up on the issues surrounding visa issuance saying that “We can send a message out to the airlines because some cannot let you board without minimum travel requirements”.
