The Vice President and Woman MP for Katakwi district Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has held talks with the Prime Minister of Samoa Rt. Hon. Fiame Naomi on the sidelines of the 2024 commonwealth heads of government meeting in Apia Samoa.
The vice president assured Naomi that there’s greater scope to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries especially in Agriculture/agro processing, tourism and investment.
“We need to have exchange visits, share experiences and identify specific areas for cooperation” Alupo said.
On behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, Alupo congratulated the prime minister and the people of Samoa on the historic holding of Chogm in such a beautiful city of Apia and the warm hospitality accorded to the Uganda delegation.
She further noted that the theme they chose for this Chogm, “One resilient common future: transforming our commonwealth” is most prominent..
Alupo explained that they’re meeting at a time of daunting global challenges but also unprecedented opportunities for transform.
The vice president added that as the Chogm meeting starts, she’s looking forward to discussions during their executive sessions and retreat on the key priorities as they seek to build resilient economies for recovery and prosperity, address climate change, foster democratic institutions and improve livelihoods.
Samoa’s prime minister Naomi assured the vice president Alupo that Samoa is very ready and willing to partner with Uganda in fields like, technology, agriculture investment and tourism among other key sectors.
His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom is expected to grace the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting on October 25th as head of commonwealth and other heads of government.
The Summit will also be addressed by the Prime Minister of Samoa Rt. Hon Naomi Mata’afa, the outgoing Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland.
During the meeting, members are expected to assess the progress made since the last CHOGM in Rwanda, and focus on key priorities including resilient economies for recovery and prosperity, addressing climate change, democratic institutions and improving livelihoods.
However, there has been several ongoing Women, Youth, Business and People’s Forums and other side events, bringing together about 5,000 delegates from 56 member countries which have a combined population of 2.7 billion people.
The meeting will also discuss how to enhance intra-commonwealth trade, tourism and investment.
The Heads of Government are also going to select a new Commonwealth Secretary-General, from candidates of Lesotho, Ghana and Gambia.
The official opening is slated for 25 October followed by Executive Sessions and a retreat on 26 October, during which the Vice President Alupo and head of Uganda’s delegation will deliver President Museveni’s message to the meeting.
At the meeting, the head of government Leaders will also adopt a Communique, a Commonwealth Ocean Declaration and a Declaration on Reparatory Justice.
However earlier today, Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom addressed a women forum on the sidelines of the Chogm. She advocated for Women and Girls in the Commonwealth in a high level meeting attended by vice president Alupo the head of Uganda’s delegation in Samoa.
Uganda’s powerful delegation also comprises of Minister Okello Oryem, Ambassador Dorothy Hyuha, Uganda’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom of the Great Britain Nimisha Madhvan and Ambassador John L Mugerwa.