Parliament Urged to Allocate UGX 6 Bn for NAM and G77+China Post-Summit Activities

Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Vice Chairperson Fred Opolot, has proposed allocating 4 billion Shillings for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and 2 billion Shillings for G77+China post-summit activities over the next three years. The recommendation was presented during discussions on the 2024/2025 Budget Framework Paper before the House Budget Committee.

Opolot emphasized the importance of funding post-summit activities, highlighting responsibilities such as hosting diplomatic and technical meetings, document preparation, and participating in international conferences. Notably, Uganda, as the Chair of NAM for the next three years, will play a key role in extraordinary sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers and conferences on environment, human rights, trade, and disarmament.

Opolot clarified that these activities significantly impact Uganda’s market access, attract foreign direct investment, and contribute to the success of international engagements.

“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.

“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.

However, some MPs raised concerns during the session. Dickisons Kateshumbwa questioned why the current budget lacked provisions for ongoing NAM and G77+China events. He urged clarification on the funding source for these activities.

“You are labouring to explain the importance of these events that are already here. How can the Minister [Foreign Affairs] not have money allocated to support this? Did you interact with them?” Kateshumbwa wondered

Similarly, Stephen Kangwagye questioned the need for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor post-NAM summit activities when the January summits were organized by the Office of the President. Kangwagye highlighted that a significant amount (5.6 billion Shillings) had already been transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Office of the President for NAM activities.

“The NAM activities are going on within the country and according to their report here, a provision of Shs5.6 billion was transferred from the Ministry of Finance to Office of the President. With the ongoing activities, who is funding them?” he questioned

The proposed budget allocation will be subject to further deliberations as Parliament reviews the 2024/2025 Budget Framework Paper.