Foreign Affairs Ministry Seeks 6 Billion Shillings for NAM and G77+China Post Summit Activities

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has recommended allocating Shs4 billion and Shs2 billion in the National Budget Framework Paper for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically catering to post-summit activities related to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+China for the next three years.

Hon. Fred Opolot, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presented this proposal to the Committee on Budget on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. He highlighted that despite Uganda’s Foreign Policy being implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no funds were initially provided for post-summit activities.

Opolot explained that the secretariats responsible for the Non-Aligned Movement will play a crucial role in hosting and participating in meetings at diplomatic and technical levels. Additionally, they will prepare documents aligned with the outcome document. The post-summit activities also involve domestic and international travel to engage in extraordinary sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers and attend conferences on environment, human rights, trade, and disarmament. These responsibilities are in connection with Uganda’s role as the Chair of NAM for the next three years.

Opolot emphasized the impact of these functions on enhancing market access for exports, attracting foreign direct investment, and ensuring the success of international engagements.

However, concerns were raised by Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa (NRM, Sheema Municipality) regarding the absence of funds in the current budget for ongoing NAM and G77+China events. He questioned the lack of interaction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the financial support for these activities.

Another inquiry came from Hon. Stephen Kangwagye (Indep., Bukanga County), who questioned why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was seeking funds for monitoring post NAM summit activities when the Office of the President handled the organization of the January summits. He sought clarification on the funding source for the ongoing NAM activities.

Additionally, the Foreign Affairs Committee emphasized the need for an annual budget provision of Shs25.054 billion for the payment of subscriptions to international organizations. Opolot recommended transferring subscription arrears totaling Shs41.86 billion from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs budget to the Ministry of Finance to protect Uganda’s international image and safeguard its interests.

Hon. Paul Omara (Indep., Otuke County) supported the funding request for subscriptions, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing international obligations. Gomba District Woman Representative, Hon. Sylvia Nayebale, urged the Budget Committee to prioritize and address pending subscriptions, given their significant impact on Uganda’s representation at international forums.

Outstanding subscription arrears include IGAD (Shs17.3 billion), World Food Programme (Shs14.93 billion), African Union (Shs3.15 billion), United Nations (Shs1.7 billion), UN Peace Keeping Operations and Tribunals (Shs882.8 million), and the Commonwealth Secretariat (Shs85.7 million).