Legislators have tasked Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to present in parliament, a foreign policy for Uganda within six months, to enable the country to streamline and shape it’s foreign relations but also smoothly coordinate it’s interests and goals on the the international scene.
The new development came up on Thursday during presentation and adoption of a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Policy Statements for Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the financial year 2024/25, which highlighted gaps in Uganda’s foreign operations, something that legislators attributed to the country’s failure to adopt a specific laid down foreign policy.
A foreign policy is a means through which a country relates with another country, or with other countries and international organizations. It is through a foreign policy that national governments are guided in their diplomatic interactions and relationships with other countries. It also reflects a country’s values and goals, and helps to drive it’s political and economic aims in the global arena.
In absence of a foreign policy, committee members say, Uganda as a country is only guided by objective XXVIII of the Constitution which doesn’t adequately facilitate the country’s foreign interests. The Constitutional objective provides that the foreign policy of Uganda shall be based on the principles of respect for international law and treaty obligations, a peaceful co-existence and non-alignment, and settlement of international disputes through peaceful means.
“The committee further observed that Uganda’s aspirations beyond it’s borders have not optimally been fulfilled and realized because of lack of a documented, consistent foreign policy” the report presented by Hon Fred Opolot (Pingire County MP) reads in part.
The committee led by Hon. Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha (District Woman MP Buliisa), highlighted critical issues in promoting Uganda’s interests abroad including underfunding of the activities under the Foreign Affairs Ministry which has led to failure to meet the country’s international obligations, a sorry state of some of Uganda’s missions abroad, among others.
Members showed concern over Uganda’s foreign mission’s ability to promote economic and social-political interests of Uganda abroad amid challenges of inadequate funds, staff gaps, lack of adequate facilities, etc.
For instance MOFA’s unpaid arrears on annual subscription for Uganda to international organizations with the outstanding debt amounting to UGX41.86Billion. To make matters worse, this item is listed among the unfunded priorities for the ministry, and not provided for in the Ministerial Policy statements for the financial year 2024/25.
During deliberations on the report, Hon Fred Opolot said Uganda’s Ambassador to Algeria has been using taxis for the last 8 years which is very embarrassing. He said many other missions which still have a semblance of official representational
and utility vehicles, have vehicles that are outdated, completely worn out.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should present to Parliament a foreign policy for Uganda within six months after adoption of this report. This will enable to streamline and shape Uganda’s foreign relations and coordinate it’s interests and goals on the international scene” the committee recommended in the report.
The report also recommended that unpaid arrears amounting to UGX41.86Billion to international organizations should be transferred from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Finance. In the same vein, a shortfall of UGX19.40Billion should be provided to MOFA to pay annual subscription fees for Uganda to international organizations.
Kyandondo East MP, Hon Nkunyingi Muwada
demanded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should present a Foreign Policy to Parliament. “The ministry promised to present to this House a policy last year but they haven’t. Isn’t that contempt of Parliament?” He queried.
In response, the Foreign Affairs State Minister, Hon. John Mulimba, told the house that the MOFA has a draft Foreign Policy proposal and has transmitted it to the President who is the chief diplomat and they are still waiting for the advice from the Head of State.