CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, has committed Uganda to kickstarting processes to further deepen and strengthen bilateral and parliamentary relations with Pakistan.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Oboth emphasized that Uganda is identifying a select group of countries to establish stronger bilateral ties, naming Pakistan as a key ally.
The meeting took place on Monday, 14 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held in Cape Town, South Africa.
The pledge signals a focused trajectory for Uganda-Pakistan relations, prioritizing legislative cooperation in trade, economic diplomacy, capacity building, research, climate change, and educational exchanges. The two leaders stressed the necessity of moving beyond ceremonial engagements to establish operational frameworks that create genuine opportunities for the citizens of both nations.
Developing his remarks on parliamentary diplomacy, Speaker Oboth highlighted the historical ties between the two countries, noting that Pakistan remains a key partner whose citizens actively contribute to Uganda's economic landscape. He pointed to the Pakistani community residing and operating businesses in Uganda as a strong foundation for expanded bilateral engagement.
"Uganda is willing and ready to strengthen this relationship so that we offer our citizens greater opportunities," Oboth said.
"Pakistan has been a key ally of Uganda, with several Pakistanis residing and doing business in Uganda".
Emphasizing that legislative bodies must play a direct role in national and economic development, Oboth urged parliamentarians to use legislative tools to advance international trade, tax frameworks and economic diplomacy. He urged parliaments to look beyond traditional ceremonial roles to tackle pressing socio-economic priorities.
"This friendship puts in place grounds for deeper bilateral engagements between the two countries, including exchange programmes. [Parliament of Uganda] is ready to share experiences in areas of capacity building, education, research and information sharing," Oboth said.
Addressing shared global concerns, Speaker Oboth reiterated Uganda’s commitment to jointly combat climate change alongside willing international partners. He specifically commended Pakistan’s leadership and commitment in addressing climate issues on the international stage.
The bilateral discussions also recalled past cooperation between the two legislatures within the Commonwealth framework. Speaker Oboth acknowledged Pakistan’s appreciation of Uganda’s support in the election of the Pakistani Speaker as President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in the meetings that were held in Cameroon in October 2014. In particular, Oboth cited the contribution of former Ugandan Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, who spearheaded the establishment of East African Community (EAC) and Africa-level parliamentary caucuses. Oboth also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kadaga during her tenure as Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum.
Responding to Oboth’s remarks, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, welcomed Uganda's commitment and expressed gratitude for Uganda’s support during his election as CPA President at the CPA meetings held in Cameroon in 2014. Sadiq noted that Uganda’s influence was instrumental in convincing African countries to back Pakistan’s candidature.
Speaker Sadiq informed the meeting that Pakistan has formally decided to focus on Africa in its foreign policy agenda. He noted that significant potential exists between Uganda and Pakistan, which the two countries should actively embrace through Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) frameworks.
Sadiq shared that Pakistan initiated formal Parliamentary Diplomacy in 2014 and remains willing to cooperate with Uganda across international forums such as the CPA and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). .
On climate action, Speaker Sadiq highlighted global warming as a primary concern for Pakistan, stating that Pakistan’s Parliament and school systems have adopted innovative approaches such as going paperless to combat climate change, an area where Pakistan seeks to cooperate with Uganda.
Closing the session, Speaker Sadiq invited Speaker Oboth to visit Pakistan in the near future to engage directly with the Parliament and government officials, reaffirming both nations' shared commitment to strengthening Uganda-Pakistan parliamentary diplomacy.
Speaker Oboth was accompanied by a Ugandan parliamentary CPA delegation that included Hon. Emely Kugonza (NRM, Buyanja East), Hon. Naome Kabasharira (NRM, Rushenyi County), Hon. Otim Benard (NRM, Maruzi North County), Hon. Fortunate Rose Nantongo (NUP, Kyotera District), Hon. Silas Aogon (Kumi Munic.), Hon. Adrine Katusiime (NRM, Sheema District). These were also joined by Hon. Paul Omiat Amoru the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of South Africa.
