Fear of US, UK, EU Sanctions Drove Uganda to Join BRICS Without Parliament Approval, MP alleges

Recent discussions in Uganda's Parliament have highlighted serious concerns about the government's decision to join the BRICS, an intergovernmental organization, without getting prior approval from Parliament. This decision has led to debates about the reasons behind it, especially fears of sanctions from Western countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

Honourable Muwada Nkunyingi, a member of Parliament and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, shared his worries on social media. He reported that he had asked Hon. Oryem Henry Okello, the State Minister for International Cooperation, about how Uganda was accepted into BRICS. Nkunyingi said that Okello explained that Uganda’s fear of possible sanctions from Western nations pushed them to join BRICS as a new strategy. He criticized this move, arguing that it undermines Uganda’s commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law.

During the parliamentary meeting, Nkunyingi also raised issues about pay differences within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He pointed out that Ambassador Nsambu Alintuma was earning more than other ambassadors, a situation he claimed was due to direct orders from President Museveni. Nkunyingi mentioned that many long-serving staff in the foreign service had not been promoted because they were political appointees and lacked proper budget support for their missions. This situation has caused frustration among staff who feel they can ignore guidance from the Ministry.

Another important issue discussed was the lack of ambassadors in several Ugandan embassies around the world, including those in Nigeria, Canada, Kenya, Iran, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nkunyingi pointed out that despite large amounts of taxpayer money being allocated to these embassies, many did not have effective leadership or accountability. He criticized Minister Okello for avoiding questions about these vacancies and suggested that if he could not manage the Foreign Affairs Ministry properly, he should think about resigning.

As discussions continue in Parliament regarding the Budget Frame Paper for 2025/26 for Foreign Affairs, it is clear that Uganda’s diplomatic efforts face many challenges. The recent decision to join BRICS without parliamentary approval raises important questions about governance and accountability that need to be addressed moving forward.

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