Political party interests are one of the leading challenges to the growth of Parliamentary Democracy in Uganda and across Africa.

MPs from a number of African countries meeting at the 25th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania expressed concern on Thursday over balancing national interests and towing the party line.

The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Association, who also doubles as the Speaker of Uganda Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga told participants that some MPs especially in Uganda are afraid to speak in Parliament.

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