BY OMULANGIRA DAVID WALUGEMBE
Earlier this week Uganda has sent over 70 delegates to United Nations General Assembly in New York. One Group is Led by Vice President Jessica Alupo who also represented president Museveni and the Second group is Led by the prime Minister of Uganda Robina Nabanja.
The Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs who is also the MP of kyadondo East Muwadda Nkunnyingi has said the numbers that traveled to US were Not Necessary. While Speaking to MS News Uganda reporter today, Saturday September 23rd 2023 morning in Kyadondo said that, Uganda is having two embassies in Us one specifically in New York to handle matters of United Nations including this assembly but unfortunately the government wasted a lot of public money by sending all that kind of a huge delegation to an event that is already catered for.
Muwadda cited that there cannot be any explanation as to why Uganda sent 71 high government profiled individuals to this assembly when we as country still struggling with our economy which is just am wasteful expenditure. “Uganda is the only country which sent a big delegation, offered Business class Ticket. The cheapest Business ticket to US can go for around ugx20 million, multiply by 71 delegates”, he noted.
According to media reports, per night, the Vice President costs around $920 (Shs3.5m), Prime Minister around $900 (Shs3.4m), Cabinet Ministers around $850 (Shs3.2), Ministers of State at around $820 (Shs3,1m), Permanent Secretary $730 (Shs2.7m), Head of Public Service $750 (Shs2.8m), Director $710(Shs2.7m), Head of Department $680 (Shs2.6), and other Officers in Scale U1-U8 $650 (Shs2.4m). This expenditure is per day and this year’s UNGA started on Monday September 18th -28.
He then advises that is just extravagancy, such money could be used to repatriate Ugandans who are stuck abroad like thousands who are stranded in Turkey, U.A.E and Saudi Arabia among other countries where Ugandans are frustrated inprisoned.
“I will put the Ministry of Internal affairs on task to guide in matters of diplomatic relations and representation”, the shadow minister added.
Earlier this Year president Museveni pressed a ban on traveling abroad by members of parliament and civil servants at the expense of tax payers’ money to save money for other priority sectors. But the question is how is the ban effective.
