Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to using parliamentary diplomacy to advance Economic and Commercial Diplomacy following an official visit to Australia by the Australia-Uganda Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The delegation, led by Ofwono Opondo P’ Odel, Chairperson of the Australia–Uganda Parliamentary Friendship Group, travelled to Australia on the direction of Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen institutional cooperation and support Uganda’s agenda for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
The delegation was hosted by H.E. Dorothy Samali Hyuha, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, whose leadership continues to strengthen Australia–Uganda relations and advance Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy agenda.
The delegation included Grace Freedom Kwiyuchwiny, Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Friendship Group and Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Omoding Emmanuel Okabe, Hon. Okumu Gabriel and Hon. Ethel Naluyima.
At Australia’s Parliament House, the delegation met Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Angus Taylor MP, Leader of the Opposition.
Discussions focused on legislative cooperation, parliamentary modernisation, archives and records management, digital transformation, technology and capacity building for parliamentary staff.
Welcoming the delegation, Speaker Milton Dick reflected on the significance of the visit, which coincided with the 125th anniversary of the Australian National Flag.
“Today we marked the 125th anniversary of the Australian National Flag in the Great Hall at Parliament House. For 125 years, our flag has flown above moments of celebration, challenge and national achievement.”
He reaffirmed the importance of parliamentary engagement in strengthening the longstanding relationship between Australia and Uganda and in building stronger institutional partnerships.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Ofwono Opondo said the visit underscored Parliament’s role in supporting Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy agenda.
“Our objective is to build partnerships that go beyond dialogue to practical cooperation. Knowledge exchange, institutional capacity and investment are critical to Uganda’s transformation agenda, and Parliament has an important role in creating the enabling environment for that progress.”
He noted that Uganda values Australia’s expertise in parliamentary governance, mining, technology and institutional development, adding that greater collaboration in skills development, legislative capacity and critical minerals would support Uganda’s industrialisation agenda.
The visit also reinforced Australia’s strategic importance as a partner in Uganda’s critical minerals sector. Discussions explored opportunities for collaboration in mining governance, investment facilitation, technology transfer, parliamentary digital systems, knowledge management and institutional strengthening.
H.E. Dorothy Samali Hyuha said parliamentary diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy by creating stronger institutional relationships that support trade, investment, innovation and sustainable development.
She noted that the Uganda High Commission remains committed to building partnerships that translate diplomatic engagement into tangible economic opportunities for both Uganda and Australia.