The Members of Parliament during a parliamentary sitting, recommended that foreign missions be adequately funded in the next financial year to ensure service delivery hence save the country from international embarrassment.
“Foreign missions have not been well facilitated, for example our embassy in Pretoria is serving many other neighboring countries, however it is not well facilitated to reach other countries, in this regard, I concur with the report that those missions should be well facilitated so that our citizens in those countries get the services”. Said Hon. Brahan Siraji Ezama (NRM, Aringa County).
According to the Members of Parliament, Uganda’s foreign missions are not only facing the challenges of infrastructure but also some missions lack official representational and utility vehicles as stated in the committee report.
“ This is very embarrassing because some heads of missions use public means to perform mission duties for instance, the Ambassador in Algeria has used taxis for eight years. Said Hon Opolot
However, the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Muwada Nkunyinji (NUP), Kyadondo Couty East also called for realignment of Uganda’s foreign missions in-order to meet international standards.
“Our mission in Russia is the same mission accredited to cover Ukraine yet the two countries are at war. There must be realignment of foreign missions as we pursue enhanced funding”. Said Muwada
Muwada also took this opportunity to express his concerns about Uganda’s passport ranking index which considered lower than the other neighboring countries like Kenya and Tanzania.
Hon John Mulimba urged parliament to consider providing funds to foreign missions and facilitate them to issue passports on site on behalf of the directorate of Immigration Control(DCIC).
It should be noted that the budget projection for the foreign affairs ministry for FY 2024/2025 stands at 30.2billion shillings from 29.9billion shillings in FY 2023/2024,while foreign missions’ projections stand at 266.4billion shillings with a funding gap of 21billion shillings for unfunded priorities.
