Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, has been elected President of the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly. His election, which was seconded by the Parliament of Uganda, marks a major diplomatic achievement for the country.
In his new capacity, Tayebwa also assumes the role of Co-chair of the OACPS-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA). The JPA meets alternately in ACP and EU countries, based on democratic principles.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among announced Tayebwa’s election, expressing gratitude to the organization for endorsing Uganda’s nomination. “This election is a vote of confidence in the Parliament of Uganda. We are deeply grateful for the acceptance of our nomination, and we congratulate the Deputy Speaker on this remarkable achievement,” Among said. She also thanked President Yoweri Museveni for his support in enhancing Uganda’s international presence.
Tayebwa’s election places Uganda in a pivotal position within a significant multilateral body, representing 79 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. In addition to this new role, Tayebwa continues to serve as the First Vice-Chairperson of the Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference.
The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, extended his congratulations to Tayebwa, emphasizing the growing influence of Uganda on the global stage. “This is an important milestone for our Parliament, and we are proud to congratulate the Right Honourable Deputy Speaker,” Ssenyonyi stated.
Lawrence Biyika, MP for Ora County, highlighted the importance of Tayebwa’s role, noting that the OACPS consists of 48 African nations, 16 Caribbean states, and 15 Pacific countries—many of which were once European colonies. Biyika called for stronger support from European nations to ACP countries through infrastructure funding, favorable trade terms, and mobility agreements.
“Fair trade terms are crucial for ACP countries, as they should no longer be reliant on high-interest loans. We must work toward mutually beneficial trade relationships with European powers. It would also be beneficial if European nations could establish a collective fund to support infrastructure development in Africa,” Biyika proposed.
Charles Onen, MP for Laroo-Pece Division, praised Tayebwa’s achievement and urged him to champion Uganda’s values and traditions in international discussions. “We are confident that the Deputy Speaker will represent Uganda’s interests with integrity and uphold our national values in his new role,” Onen said.
Tayebwa’s appointment is expected to strengthen Uganda’s diplomatic standing and contribute to the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly’s broader mission of fostering cooperation and development among its member states.
