Foreign affairs committee decries poor funding facing Uganda’s foreign missions
Opolot also cited the problem of inadequate resources for the promotion of activities by the mission due to budget ceilings provided by the ministry of finance.
The Pingire County Member of Parliament, Fred Opolot, has urged the government to provide funds for the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Dublin, Ireland.
The MP, who was presenting a report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on an oversight visit to the Uganda High Commission in London, UK, noted that the performance of Uganda’s Mission in London has been hampered by inadequate resources, high freight cargo charges and lack of direct flights which causes delays of products to reach destinations.
“Lack of direct flights causes delays of products to reach the destination hence arriving when the quality has deteriorated. For instance, perishable goods ripen before they reach,” Opolot said.
“This is coupled with supplies which ought to be improved upon to ensure improved quality of products that meet export standards, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements,” he said further.
Opolot also cited the problem of inadequate resources for the promotion of activities by the mission due to budget ceilings provided by the ministry of finance.
He said the mission requires a total of Shs71 billion for the five-year period in order to fully implement its strategic plan, but the medium-term expenditure framework projections/ceiling for 2020/21-2024/25 provides for only Shs32 billion.
Meanwhile, Kasilo County MP, Elijah Okupa raised concern over the delayed disbursement of funds by the Ministry of Finance to Uganda’s Foreign Mission specifically the High Commission in Pretoria.
He called on the government to look into the matter & address it accordingly.
Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal Atim, raised concern over the poor state of most of Uganda’s Foreign Missions and called on the government to take deliberate action to improve Uganda’s Foreign Missions.
According to the report, the committee recommended that government should provide funds to enable the establishment of official representation of Uganda in lreland by establishing a diplomatic Mission in Dublin with initial minimum staffing.
They also recommended that the ministry of finance should review and consider for inclusion in the ministry’s annual budget for FY 2022/23, the priority budget proposals submitted by Missions to enable them to effectively discharge their mandate, as well as enhance all Foreign service allowances.
