Parliamentary Diplomacy to Unlock Stalled Uganda-Iran Agreements

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth has proposed parliamentary diplomacy to help resolve administrative bottlenecks delaying the implementation of several bilateral agreements between Uganda and Iran. 

Oboth proposed this on Thursday while receiving Iran’s outgoing Ambassador to Uganda, Majid Saffar, who paid a farewell call at the Speaker’s Chambers at the end of his four-year tour of duty. 

During the meeting, Saffar briefed the Speaker on bilateral relations, noting that previous high-level engagements had resulted in signed agreements covering judicial cooperation, customs, banking and trade. However, the agreements remain stalled at the final stage of administrative review.

Oboth said Parliament could help overcome the delays by creating alternative channels for cooperation between the two countries. “Parliament could step in to create direct frameworks, incentive laws and business connections between the two countries,” he said.

Drawing on his background in defence, Oboth observed that executive channels could encounter bureaucratic bottlenecks, making parliamentary engagement an alternative avenue for advancing bilateral cooperation.

To support the initiative, the Speaker pledged to revive the Iran-Uganda Parliamentary Friendship Group and appoint new Ugandan legislators to the group. The two leaders agreed to work towards inaugurating the group and maintaining channels of cooperation between the two countries. 

Their discussions also covered Iran’s proposed cooperation with Uganda in trade, technology, health and education. The offers include potential supply arrangements for steel and fertilisers, drones for agricultural irrigation and security, as well as fully funded scholarships for Ugandan students. 

Oboth thanked Saffar for his four years of service in Uganda and wished him success in his future endeavours.