Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, headed by Member of Parliament Hon. Bigirwa Norah, presented their findings to the Committee on Budget regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Missions’ Budget Framework Paper for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
The Foreign Affairs Committee proposed the allocation of a substantial budget line amounting to Shs6 billion to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, earmarked specifically for post-summit activities involving the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the G77+China over the next three years.
However, Hon. Fred Opolot, the Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, informed the Budget Committee that there was no provision for post-summit activities in the initial budget, raising concerns about the feasibility of allocating funds for such events.
Furthermore, the Committee on Foreign Affairs emphasized the need for the Budget Committee to prioritize funds for international subscriptions. They argued that allocating resources for this purpose was essential to uphold Uganda’s positive image on the global stage and protect its interests. The international subscription arrears currently stand at a substantial Shs41.86 billion, adding urgency to the matter.
As deliberations continue between the two committees, the decision on whether to approve the recommended budget line for post-summit activities remains uncertain. The outcome of this budgetary dispute will likely have implications for Uganda’s diplomatic engagements and international standing in the years to come.
