The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, has said that the presence of the Speakers and presiding officers at the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC 2024) is a testament that they are committed to the continuity and prosperity of the Commonwealth countries.
Speaker Among made these remarks at the official opening of the 27th CSPOC, taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda, on January 4, 2024.
“It humbles us that many of you have travelled from land far and wide, throughout several hours, to come and attend this conference,” Among said.
She also called upon the visiting speakers and presiding officers to take time off and tour Uganda, as its people are so hospitable and welcoming, with a variety of cultures, and surrounded by beautiful scenery like waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and national parks, among others.
“I encourage our visitors to tour Uganda and get a feel for where they are and see the beautiful sites Uganda is blessed and endowed with, like the birds, animals, lakes, mountains, and water falls, among others,” Among said.
Speaker Among applauded His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for honouring their invitation, gracing the CSPOC event, and, above all, facilitating the conference.
The Conference brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the national parliaments of the independent sovereign states of the Commonwealth.
CSPOC was created in 1969 as an initiative of the then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, the Honourable Lucien Lamoureux.
Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities.
The Conference is an independent group and has no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Secretariat, or the Commonwealth Heads of Government.
CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a full membership conference every two years, usually early in January, and a meeting of the Standing Committee at the same time in the intervening year, where Uganda is currently hosting.
The previous CSPOC was hosted by the Parliament of Australia in Canberra from January 3 to 6, 2023.
