The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), Hon. John Mulimba, has revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is undertaking a cost-benefit review of Uganda’s diplomatic missions following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni aimed at reducing government expenditure.
Mulimba informed Parliament on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, that the review may result in a reduction of the country’s foreign missions from the current 38 to approximately 15.
“President Museveni has directed a cost-benefit review of all 35 foreign missions, with a view to reducing the number to around 15,” said Mulimba. “There is a clear directive to examine which missions offer the greatest return on investment and to scale down accordingly.”
He said the ministry faces a Shs238 billion shortfall, needed to address staffing gaps, infrastructure upgrades, wage obligations, and international subscriptions. According to the minister, downsizing missions will help resolve persistent underperformance issues.
The announcement followed debate on a report presented by the Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Catherine Lamwaka. The report highlighted serious concerns including inadequate security for diplomatic premises, funding shortfalls, and insufficient staff capacity.
Lamwaka noted that while the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) obliges host nations to protect foreign missions, many Ugandan embassies do not request formal protection and instead rely on private security services.
She further cited high demands at missions in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi—areas with significant numbers of Ugandan migrant workers—and growing consular pressure at missions in New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, and Nairobi due to human trafficking cases.
“The government is only mandated to repatriate citizens in the event of war or natural disasters, but the continued neglect of stranded citizens damages Uganda’s diplomatic standing,” Lamwaka said.
The committee recommended emergency funds of Shs1.2 billion and Shs367 million for the missions in New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur, respectively, to support repatriation operations.
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, raised concern over the lack of substantive ambassadors in key diplomatic stations including Kenya, Canada, Iran, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kasilo County MP, Hon. Elijah Okupa, criticised stagnation in promotions within the foreign service, noting that some officers have remained in the same position for over a decade despite presidential directives.
Mukono North MP, Hon. Abdallah Kiwanuka, called for a comprehensive foreign policy on labour externalisation, arguing that without adequate protection and repatriation support, Uganda risks enabling human trafficking.
Bukimbiri County MP, Hon. Eddie Kwizera, also demanded clarity on Uganda’s foreign policy strategy and compensation for damage caused to embassy buildings such as Uganda House in Nairobi and the Kinshasa Mission.