Kampala: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address Ugandan Parliament during his visit to Uganda next week, Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has announced. He said that Modi would address the Parliament on Wednesday, July 25. The Deputy Speaker said that President Yoweri Museveni would accompany Modi to Parliament. He asked the lawmakers to turn up early enough ahead of Modi’s arrival at Parliament.
Security provisions
The Deputy Speaker asked all staff and MPs to vacate the premises on July 23 so that the security staff can take over the parliament ahead of Indian Prime Minister's state visit. The Deputy Speaker said that the House will not sit on Tuesday to allow the security personnel to carry out their work ahead of the Wednesday sitting. Modi will fly into the country on July 24, 2018 and will be hosted by President Museveni at State House Entebbe.
Indians in Uganda reach compromise
The differences among Indian community over Modi's visit to the country have now been resolved following a high level meeting held at the Indian High Commission on July 11. Two weeks since the news of Modi’s impending visit broke out; a number of concerns had been raised by some sections of the Indian community.
The meeting was prompted by a petition from a group of 15 Indian associations, who petitioned the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Shri Ravi Shankar, on July 5, rejecting the earlier 10-member organising committee for Modi’s visit. They threatened to stay away from preparations for his visit. They cited lack of inclusion, poor accountability and the manner in which the organising committee was picked for the preparations.
During the meeting, the Indian high commissioner had to succumb to the petition from the 15 enraged leaders of Indian community and associations, and brought on board, six new members on the disputed organizing committee for Modi’s visit. This now brings to 16, the number of members in the organising committee. Reports from the meeting at the Indian High Commission indicate that the parties agreed to work together for the success of the event. The aggrieved leaders also undertook to communicate the decision to their clans. “We sorted out the differences and there is no division in the Indian community. It is working in harmony. We are fortunate that despite Prime Minister Modi’s tight schedule, he will be able to address the community,” said Pradid during a press conference.
According to Trushar Upadhyay, who heads communications committee, all the new members brought on board, have already joined the sub-committees and started work.
