In the aftermath of the 27th Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Conference, the delegates had a special moment to visit the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWEC), Entebbe on Saturday, 6th January 2024.
Led by the host, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the delegates were treated to a special tour around the center by guides and animal keepers who explained every detail about the different animals.
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Hon. Tom Butime, flanked by UWEC’s Executive Director James Musinguzi officially welcomed the guests to the center.
“This is a special moment to welcome speakers and presiding officers of the CommonWealth to Uganda Wildlife Education Center. This center hosts various flora and fauna that is also present in the different national parks. Every animal or plant species at the center is representative in our national parks. You are warmly welcome back to visit these different sites” Butime echoed.
The visitors toured the solid waste center and were then taken through the different zones for the animals from the Lion, birds, elephant, rhino, giraffes, ostriches, snakes, crocodiles and others.
A special parliamentary garden was also opened up as five different species of indigenous trees were also planted.
“This is a great opportunity to host the speakers and presiding officers of the CommonWealth at the Uganda Wildlife Education. They have learnt a lot about animals and plants in Uganda. They have also promised to return for future visits” Rt. Hon Tayebwa spoke.
UWEC Executive Director Musinguzi was delighted upon the visit by CommonWealth Speakers and Presiding officers.
“We are excited to receive the guests from the CommonWealth to UWEC. This is the biggest animal and plant sanctuary in East and Central Africa. We do conservation and education and we feel honoured to host you again. We also encourage the visitors to return and tour the different national parks in Uganda” Musinguzi remarked.
The delegates also visited other places as Quality Chemicals factory, Source of the Nile and others played golf at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa as well as Entebbe club.
The Speakers and presiding officers conference was aimed to maintain, foster and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of speakers and presiding officers of Parliaments, and promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy.
The topics of discussion ranged from Environment, Climate Change and the role of Parliament; Diverse and Inclusive parliament (youth and gender sensitivity), security measures for parliamentarians and parliaments, health and wellbeing support in parliaments and the role of speakers and presiding officers.
India has been confirmed as the next host for the 28th conference of CommonWealth speakers and Presiding officers.
