A group of Parliamentarians from the Committee on Budget are in Abuja, Nigeria to attend a Capacity Building Programme for Members of the Ugandan Parliament, held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). The NILDS, established in 2011, serves as a knowledge hub for the Nigerian National Assembly. Over the years, it has played a key role in building capacity of democratic institutions both in Nigeria and in the region. The five-day tailor-made workshop represents the fourth cohort in which Ugandan parliamentarians are participating. At the opening ceremony for the workshop, Ambassador Philip Odida, Charge d’Affaires of the Uganda High Commission in Abuja delivered a goodwill message to the hosts and participants.

In his remarks, he extended Uganda’s deepest appreciation to the President of the Senate and Chairman of the NILDS Governing Council, Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio, and the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives and Alternate Chairman of the NILDS Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, for their leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening legislative institutions across the African continent. To the ten Ugandan Parliamentarians attending the program, he observed that they represented Uganda’s brightest and committed leaders from their respective districts and encouraged them to take full advantage of the expertise and insights that would be shared at the workshop, urging that it be an opportunity for constructive dialogue, experience sharing, and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria.

The keynote address at the opening ceremony was made by Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS and former Minister for National Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also addressing the opening ceremony, a lead speaker was Senator Enyinnaya Abribe, former Deputy Governor of Abia State. The delegation of the Budget Committee of Parliament is led by its Chair Hon. Opolot Patrick Isiagi (Kachumbala). Other members include Hon Achia Remigio (Pian) Deputy Chair, Hon. Omara Paul (Otuke), Hon. Ochai Maximus (W. Budama), Hon. Tumwesigye Josephat (S. Bugangaizi), Hon. Kangwagye Stephen (Bukanga), Hon. Nyakikongoro Rosemary (Sheema), Hon. Dr. Atim Agnes Apea (Amolatar), Hon. Karim (Mbale) and Hon. Bagiire Aggrey (W. Bunya). The delegation includes staff of the Parliament of Uganda led by Principal Clerk Assistant, Alice Nyamwenge Mukyasi.