Parliamentary bridges: UAE and Uganda chart course for deeper cooperation
At the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, Saqr Ghobash and Uganda's parliamentary speaker explore pathways to strengthen bilateral ties across energy, trade and security.
Within the grand assembly halls of New Delhi, where the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum convened, two nations found common ground in their vision for partnership. Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, and Jacob Marksons Oboth, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, met to chart new terrain in the relationship between the UAE and Uganda, identifying areas of mutual benefit that extend far beyond traditional trade.
The conversation reflected a deepening confidence between the two countries. Both sides acknowledged the steady momentum of UAE-Uganda relations, particularly in commerce and investment, yet looked beyond these foundations to opportunities that address shared global challenges. Clean and renewable energy emerged as a priority, alongside food and water security matters that weigh heavily on nations concerned with sustainable futures. Technology and innovation rounded out the agenda, suggesting a vision of cooperation rooted in the practical realities of the 21st century.
Ghobash placed particular emphasis on strengthening the institutional bonds between the FNC and Uganda’s Parliament. This was not merely about ceremonial exchange but about the substantive work of legislatures: developing mechanisms for cooperation, sharing knowledge and parliamentary practices, and building the expertise that enhances legislative and oversight functions. As we reported in our coverage of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Ghobash has articulated a vision of parliamentary diplomacy that seeks balance and deeper global responsibility, an approach evident in these discussions with Uganda.
The agenda extended into questions of security and values. Both speakers stressed the importance of parliamentary cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism, and in championing tolerance, moderation and peaceful coexistence. These concerns reflect not abstract ideals but the lived experience of nations navigating complex regional landscapes. Uganda’s parliamentary leader acknowledged the UAE’s role in advancing moderate Islam and countering extremist ideology, particularly across Africa.
With mutual invitations extended for visits to each other’s capitals, the dialogue suggests a relationship prepared to deepen through sustained engagement and personal connection between parliamentary leaders. These exchanges, conducted within the framework of global forums, carry the weight of building understanding between peoples and nations.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
For Abu Dhabi and the UAE, this engagement reflects an expanding diplomatic footprint that extends parliamentary cooperation into regions of strategic significance. The emphasis on clean energy, food security and counterterrorism demonstrates how the Emirates frames its international relationships around issues that matter to its future: energy transition, supply chain resilience and regional stability. The strengthening of ties with Uganda, particularly through institutional parliamentary channels, opens pathways for technical cooperation and knowledge exchange that can benefit both nations’ development priorities.
The dialogue also positions the UAE within a broader BRICS context, as Ghobash continues to champion a vision of parliamentary diplomacy focused on equilibrium and cooperation rather than rivalry. For Abu Dhabi, this represents an opportunity to deepen its influence within these emerging geopolitical forums whilst building practical partnerships that address real governance and development challenges across continents.
Source: WAM News Agency