Ministers and Heads of Delegation in a group photo ahead of the opening ceremony of the Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting at the Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala-Uganda
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has recommended the provision of 4 billion Shillings and 2 billion Shillings to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Non-Aligned Movement -NAM and G77+China post-summit activities respectively, for the next three years.
The recommendation was made before the House Budget Committe on Tuesday by the Pingire County MP Fred Opolot, the Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chairperson.
Parliament is currently considering the 2024/2025 Budget Framework Paper.
Opolot told MPs on the Budget Committee that no funds were provided for the post-summit activities.
“The secretariats in charge of the Non- Aligned Movement will be charged with hosting and participating in meetings at diplomatic and technical levels, and preparing documents in line with the outcome document among others,” Opolot noted.
He added that part of the post-summit activities include travelling inland and abroad to participate in extraordinary sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers, international conferences on environment, human rights, trade and disarmament; all in Uganda’s capacity as the Chair of NAM for the next three years.
“It is important to note that these functions have a great impact on increasing market access for our exports, attracting foreign direct investment and the success of international engagements and occurrences,” Opolot added.
Dickisons Kateshumbwa, the Sheema Municipality MP questioned why the said activities were not provided for in the current budget yet the NAM and G77+China events are already going on.
Stephen Kangwagye, the Bukanga County MP asked why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ought to receive funds to monitor post NAM summit activities yet the organization of the January summits was handled by the Office of the President.
“The NAM activities are going on within the country and according to their report here, a provision of 5.6 billion Shillings was transferred from Ministry of Finance to Office of the President. With the ongoing activities, who is funding them? Is it Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Office of the President?” Kangwagye asked.
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