On March 11th, 2024, Members of Parliament convened in the Plenary Hall of the Chamber of Deputies to celebrate Commonwealth Day and deliberate on the theme "One resilient, common future: Transforming our Commonwealth." They engaged in discussions covering various subjects pertinent to the Commonwealth's mission.
During her interaction with MPs, Mrs Mukeka Clementine, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and International Cooperation, underscored the mission of the Commonwealth and emphasized the government's achievements in four key areas—Sustainability, Prosperity, Health, and Governance—as agreed upon by Heads of States during CHOGM2022 held in Kigali.
In her address marking the occasion, Mukabalisa Donatille, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, urged MPs to safeguard the citizens they represent through legislation. She stated, "As Parliamentarians, I challenge ourselves to engage in critical reflection to devise tangible and sustainable collective actions through our legislative and Executive oversight prerogatives to ensure that our respective citizens are protected and resilient in the face of the harsh realities our world is experiencing."
Additionally, Kalinda, President of the Senate, reminded Members of Parliament to uphold fundamental values. "As we celebrate today, it is imperative that the values of unity, good governance, inclusion, and social justice continue to inform the decisions made by Parliament and the choices we make."
The Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second week of March every year and the Commonwealth comprises 2.5 billion people located in 56 countries.