MPs grill UTB over UGx360m spent on Dubai 2020 Expo

By Francis Lubega

25^th Oct 2021

The Parliamentary Committee on Trade Tourism and Industry has tasked the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to account for the 360 million spent during the Dubai 2020 Expo.

UTB led by its Executive Director Lilly Ajarova today appeared before the committee who were probing into concerns arising from Ugandans participation in the Dubai Expo in the United Arabs Emirates where officials used most of the 360 million shillings in per diems and other expenses like meals and entertainment instead of action tourism promotional materials.

According to their accountability, 53 million shillings was spent on Air tickets and visas, PCR testing for COVID-19 costed 28 Million shillings, Per diem for traveling delegation 83 million, promotional materials which included kitenge bags, safari hats, gomesi and Kanzu’s totaling to 20.5 million shillings.

Other items included baskets for display which cost 3 million shillings, production of two short films 10 million shillings, 4 gift packs for panelists 2 million shillings, courier of promotional materials to UAE Bahrain and Qatar 7.1 million shillings, travel trade in Abu Dhabi 68.5 million shillings, travel trade in Dubai 68.5 million shillings and the meeting for senior executives meeting 12.4 million shillings among others.

The members of parliament on the committee expressed concern with the items that Uganda Tourism board spent their funds on with MPs like Mbarara City South Division MP and Chair of the Committee, Mwine Mpaka, Buhweju county MP Francis MwIjukye and district woman MP for Hoima Harriet Businge wondered what criteria the board used to select tour companies and how they prioritized the use of the funds.

Ajarova informed the committee that they do not have an actual expenditure as they are yet to account for the funds; the meeting however came to an abrupt end after realizing that the board had shared with them a revised budget instead of the actual expenditure. Mpaka tasked the team to return with full accountability.

The Dubai Expo was originally scheduled for October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 but was rescheduled over COVID-19 to October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. More than 192 Countries, including Uganda are participating in the Expo showcasing their products, tourism potential and investment opportunities among others.