By Mary Asujo
Parliament has asked government through Finance ministry to allocate funds to the foreign missions in a bid to have them operate properly.
This follows a recommendation by report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on an oversight visit to the Uganda High Commission in London-UK to enhance funding towards operations of the countries foreign missions.
The legislators were dismayed that most of the Ugandan foreign missions can’t run their duties properly because of underfunding.
Dokolo Woman MP, Hon Cecilia Ogwal Atim raised a concern over the poor state of most of Uganda’s Foreign Missions. She called on Govt to take deliberate action to improve the Uganda’s Foreign Missions.
Bufumbira County East, Hon. James Nsaba Buturo appealed to parliament to critically look into the state of the Uganda’s Foreign Missions.
Pingire County, Hon. Fred Opolot who presented the report 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, etc.
According to the committee report, 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, etc.
Kasilo County, Hon. Elijah Okupa raised a concern over the delayed disbursement of funds by Ministry of Finance to Uganda’s Foreign Mission specifically the High Commission in Pretoria. He called of Government to look into the matter and address it accordingly.
Kalungu West County MP, Hon Joseph Ssewungu called for change of thinking and strategy of Uganda’s Foreign Missions in serving the interests of the country.
The Committee also urged Government to enhance the allowances of all Foreign Service Officers.
Hon Opolot urged Government to provide funds for the establishment of a diplomatic Mission in Dublin, Ireland.