Kenyan and Ugandan legislators have agreed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation to promote peace, equality, and inclusion across the region.
The commitment was made during a consultative engagement between the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity and the Committee on Equal Opportunities from the Parliament of Uganda.
Committee Chairperson Mandera West MP Adan Yussuf Haji said Kenya and Uganda face similar challenges in promoting equality and protecting vulnerable and marginalised groups.
“We face almost similar challenges in our two countries in regard to equality, inclusion, non-discrimination, and the protection of marginalised and vulnerable groups,” said Haji.
He said closer collaboration would allow the two committees to share experiences and develop practical approaches to challenges affecting communities in both countries.
“If we work together, we will easily resolve the issues afflicting our people in the region,” he said.
Haji noted that Parliament has a key role in promoting peaceful coexistence and ensuring that all communities enjoy equal opportunities.
He said stronger cooperation would also help the two countries address issues affecting marginalised and vulnerable groups, particularly those that cross national borders.
The leader of the Ugandan delegation and Chairperson of the Committee on Equal Opportunities, Lamwaka Catherine, said the meeting offered an opportunity for the two committees to learn from each other and strengthen their working relationship.
“Given the related mandates of the two committees, working together presents a valuable opportunity for peer learning and exchange of practical parliamentary experiences in promoting equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination,” said Lamwaka.
She said the committees could share experiences in legislation, oversight, and programmes designed to protect vulnerable groups and promote equal opportunities.
Lamwaka observed that many challenges affecting communities in Kenya and Uganda are similar and sometimes extend beyond national borders.
She said stronger parliamentary engagement would help the two countries develop more effective responses to such challenges.
The legislators also called for policies and laws that promote fairness, inclusion, and protection from discrimination.
They emphasised that Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that government policies and legislation safeguard the rights of all citizens, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups.
The two sides agreed to maintain regular engagements and explore areas of mutual interest, noting that continued cooperation would strengthen regional integration and peaceful coexistence.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
