The 126th Assembly and Related Meetings will be held in Kampala, Uganda, from 31st March – 5th April, 2011. Uganda beat off stiff competition from Canada for the right to host next year’s event that brings together parliamentarians from 159 national Parliaments.

The Inter Parliamentary Union is the largest international union of parliaments of sovereign states in the world. It is “the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.”

The IPU comprises 159 members – national parliaments and nine (9) associate members – regional parliaments such as the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) based in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Governing Council of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) approved Uganda as hosts of the 126th IPU Assembly and Related Meetings at the end of the 124th IPU Assembly held in Panama City, Panama, in April, 2011.

The Parliament of Uganda is a member of the IPU by virtue of being the national legislative assembly.

The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has asked international delegates travelling to attend the Assembly in Kampala to stay an extra week and spend the Christian Easter holiday in Uganda.

Meetings of the IPU will be held at three venues, with the opening event being held at the Commonwealth Speke Resort, Munyonyo, on the outskirts of the capital, Kampala. Other meetings will be held at the Kampala Serena Hotel and the nearby Imperial Royale Hotel.