NAM Summit Kicks Off at Speke Resort Munyonyo Amidst Technical Glitches

On January 15, 2024, the highly anticipated Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit commenced at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, bringing together senior officials and delegates from 120 member countries. Despite a few technical glitches, the day unfolded smoothly in the newly constructed Speke Resort Convention Centre.

The summit, with a theme of “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” began with delegates, including representatives from countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Somalia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Mauritania, converging at the state-of-the-art convention center.

The venue, adorned with flags representing NAM member countries, exuded a modern aesthetic, complete with new furniture and carpets. However, the novelty of the setting brought about some technical challenges, as observed with sound issues in certain microphones. Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, offered an apology, acknowledging that such issues are typical with new installations. He reassured attendees that the problems would be rectified before the return of the Economics and Social Committee for their closed-door meeting in the same hall.

Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo officially inaugurated the meeting, emphasizing the importance of addressing existing, new, and emerging issues collectively for the benefit of the membership and global welfare.

The summit’s exterior was abuzz with activity, overseen by Ms Lucy Nakyobe, Chairperson of the NAM National Organizing Committee, ensuring all arrangements were in order. Security, both inside and outside the convention center, was stringent, with the deployment of military and police personnel.

Cleaners worked diligently to maintain the center’s neat appearance, contributing to the overall professionalism of the event. The day concluded with the assurance that the senior officials’ meeting would resume the following day, fostering anticipation for continued success throughout the summit, scheduled to run until January 19, 2024.