A fiery debate erupted in Uganda’s Parliament on Monday as members of the Foreign Affairs Committee questioned the government’s recent move to join the BRICS bloc without seeking parliamentary approval.
The heated exchange was sparked by Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Muwada Nkunyingi, who confronted State Minister for International Cooperation Henry Okello Oryem over the decision.
BRICS, a powerful bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is seen by many countries as an alternative to Western-dominated financial and political structures.
Oryem defended Uganda’s alignment with BRICS, citing the need to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty from unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.
“The United States and European Union expect other nations to abide by their sanctions, even when those sanctions disregard international practices. Uganda cannot simply stand by and ignore these changes in the world order,” Oryem argued.
However, Nkunyingi took issue with the government’s apparent disregard for parliamentary oversight, questioning why such a significant international commitment was made without prior approval from lawmakers.
In response, Oryem insisted that past international engagements did not require parliamentary consent. “This matter was discussed in Cabinet, approved, and directives were issued by the President to formalise Uganda’s membership. I don’t think it required approval from Parliament,” he stated.
Despite Oryem’s reassurances that Uganda’s membership in BRICS would not impose immediate financial obligations, Nkunyingi remained unconvinced, accusing the government of circumventing democratic processes.
“Instead of adhering to the rule of law and democratic governance, Uganda wants to hide under BRICS,” Nkunyingi said.
Salaries, Staff Stagnation
Beyond the BRICS debate, the session highlighted other pressing issues within the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Nkunyingi raised concerns over salary disparities, pointing out that Ambassador Nsambu Alintuma reportedly earns as much as a State Minister.
Oryem attributed this anomaly to directives from President Yoweri Museveni, explaining that many ambassadors are political appointees beyond the ministry’s control.
The discussion also touched on the stagnation of Foreign Service staff, some of whom have not been promoted for years.
Oryem admitted that promotions were dependent on presidential decisions, leaving the ministry with limited authority.
“Some of these staff feel too big to adhere to the ministry’s guidance and await direct instructions from the President,” he disclosed.
Unfilled Diplomatic Posts
Nkunyingi further criticized the absence of substantive ambassadors in several key missions, including Nigeria, Canada, Kenya, Iran, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite substantial budget allocations, these embassies reportedly lack proper administrative and political accountability.
In response, Oryem suggested that such concerns be directed to President Museveni. This prompted Nkunyingi to demand Oryem’s resignation if he could no longer manage the ministry effectively.
“It is the minister’s responsibility to report to Parliament under the Rules of Procedure,” Nkunyingi emphasized.
Welfare of Ugandans Abroad
The welfare of Ugandan migrant workers and distressed nationals abroad also featured prominently in the discussions.
Nkunyingi urged the ministry to prioritize consular services and deploy labor attachés to better address the needs of Ugandans overseas.
He called for an expansion of consular support, particularly in regions with high concentrations of migrant workers.
Gold Reserves Initiative
In a related matter, Oryem defended the Bank of Uganda’s decision to purchase gold from local artisans to establish domestic gold reserves.
He explained that this initiative is a strategic measure to protect Uganda’s assets from potential sanctions by Western powers.
“We are now studying how to create gold reserves domestically. With about US$4 billion in foreign reserves, Uganda risks losing its assets if sanctions are imposed. This move is a safeguard against such threats,” Oryem noted.
The committee’s session underscored significant tensions between the executive and Parliament regarding foreign policy decisions and the management of diplomatic affairs.
With Nkunyingi calling for greater transparency and accountability, it remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved moving forward.
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