Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt, Hon. Nelly B K Mutti, MP FAPRA gathered together with thirty two other Speakers from around the Commonwealth in Kampala, Uganda for the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) from 3rd to 6th January, 2024.

The Conference was officially opened on Thursday, 4th January, 2024 by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni who in his remarks stated that the Commonwealth is a positive endeavour despite its negative colonial history. He added that it is important to recognise that as people of different lands, we exist as equals and that our relationship should be symbiotic and not parasitic.

Speaking during the Official Opening, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among said “Hosting this Conference in Kampala is indeed a remarkable milestone in the legislative history of Uganda”.

The 27th CSPOC addressed several topical issues which included, environment, climate change and the role of Parliament; diverse and inclusive Parliaments and health; and wellbeing support in Parliaments and the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers.

The CSPOC aims to; maintain, foster, and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments; promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms; and develop parliamentary institutions.