By Our Reporter
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is under mounting pressure from Parliament to address critical challenges affecting the country’s diplomatic missions abroad, including relocation demands, rising debt from unpaid international subscriptions, and restoration of fire-damaged properties.
Presenting the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Missions Abroad, Catherine Lamwaka, Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, revealed that the Ministry is seeking UGX38.9 billion to facilitate the relocation of Uganda’s Mission in Cairo. The move follows a directive by the Egyptian Government requiring all diplomatic missions to relocate to the New Administrative Capital (NAC), expected to be fully operational by 2028.
“The estimated cost of constructing a chancery and official residence is US$10.6 million (UGX38.9Bn), excluding land,” Lamwaka told Parliament. “The price of one acre of land in NAC, currently needed for the project, is UGX8.784Bn and is rising annually.”
Due to current budget constraints, the Ministry plans to rent temporary premises until full construction funding becomes available. The Committee has recommended the immediate allocation of UGX8.784Bn in FY2025/26 to purchase land, warning that further delays will only escalate costs.
Elijah Okupa (Kasilo County) criticized the Ministry’s inaction, saying: “This relocation issue has been known for years. How is it possible that we haven’t even secured relocation funds? The Ministry must explain why it has fallen behind.”
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, revealed plans to downsize Uganda’s global diplomatic presence. “We’ve been directed by the President to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of our 35 embassies and scale down to about 15,” he said, citing staffing and budgetary challenges.
The proposed budget for Uganda’s missions abroad for FY2025/26 stands at UGX400.2Bn—a 19% increase from the current financial year—mainly due to higher wage and non-wage allocations. However, the development component is projected to fall by 8%.
At the same time, Parliament raised alarm over Uganda’s growing arrears to international organizations, which are projected to hit UGX89.7Bn by June 2025. For FY2025/26, only UGX17.6Bn has been allocated toward settling these arrears, leaving a shortfall of UGX72.1Bn. Uganda has also failed to budget for annual assessment contributions amounting to UGX25.56Bn.
“The country’s influence in these international bodies is at risk,” Lamwaka warned. “Ugandan delegates are already being blocked from meetings, and job candidates are being rejected due to unpaid subscriptions.”
Uganda is subscribed to about 40 international bodies, but is financially responsible for seven key organizations including the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
In another development, Parliament called for the temporary closure of Uganda’s Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following violent protests in January 2025 that left the mission looted, burned, and non-operational. The embassy staff are now working from an undisclosed location for security reasons.
Lamwaka reported that the Ministry had proposed temporarily relocating the mission’s services to Brazzaville, Republic of Congo—a country under the embassy’s jurisdiction and just a few kilometres from Kinshasa. “Kenya and other countries have already made similar moves for the safety of their diplomatic staff,” she said.
The Committee backed the proposal and urged Government to consider the temporary relocation until security stabilizes in the DRC.
Parliament also demanded the swift restoration of Uganda House in Nairobi, which was damaged by fire during protests in June 2024. The High Commission has been allocated UGX3Bn for repairs in FY2025/26, with an additional UGX1.85Bn in project savings generated from favorable currency fluctuations and VAT exemptions—bringing total available funds to UGX4.85Bn.
Although a consultant report estimated full restoration at UGX7.2Bn, the Ministry insists the UGX4.85Bn is sufficient. Parliament urged the Ministry to commence repairs immediately to resume revenue generation and fulfill the original refurbishment objectives.
Lamwaka also stressed the need for stronger safeguards. “The next contract must include insurance coverage until the defects liability period ends,” she said. “Additionally, once restoration is complete, Government should fund enhanced security measures and procure comprehensive insurance for Uganda House, given its location in Nairobi’s protest-prone CBD.”
However, Okupa questioned why Ugandan taxpayers are footing the bill for the Nairobi restoration instead of the Kenyan Government. His remarks reflect broader frustration over Uganda’s diplomatic spending amid growing fiscal pressure and stalled mission projects.
Source: Parliament Watch
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