KAMPALA – The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, has lauded the outgoing head of CPA Small Branches, Hon. Angelo Farrugia, for his diligent service to the association.
Hon. Farrugia (MP, Malta) was elected Chairperson of the Small Branches in 2016. CPA Small branches are from Australia, Africa, British Isles and the Mediterranean, Canada, Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and South Asia.
“I thank the Government of Malta for putting him [Hon. Farrugia] at our disposal. We look forward to your service in other CPC events, and I hope all the delegates here will continue pushing the agenda for the Small Branches,” she said.
Delegates commended Uganda for advancing issues that affect special interest groups in society, through representation in Parliament.
McGill University Parliamentary Programmes Coordinator, Prof. Frederick Stapenhurst, said allocation of parliamentary seats to minority groups is being championed by many African states in the Eastern and Southern parts of the continent.
“Uganda is very strong on affirmative action and it was the first African country that reserved seats for persons with physical challenges. This is a very impressive move,” said Prof. Stapenhurst.
Parliament of Uganda has special interest groups of persons with disabilities, women, youth, workers and the army.
Legislators from the CPA Small Branches represent jurisdictions with a population celling of 500,000 people; and Members discuss political issues and the operation of democratic systems in some of the world’s smallest populations.
