By; Francis Lubega

30th Oct. 2020

A section of MPs on Parliament’s Budget Committee have supported Government plans to spend Shs1Bn towards the establishment of an embassy in Angola.

The money is part of the Shs 6Trillion loan that Government is seeking to borrow domestically to fund the budget deficit, with the Ministry of Finance seeking Shs1Bn out of the Shs2.567Bn to establish a mission in Angola.

However, there were questions raised on the amount required and the timing of the request by the Kumi County Mp Charles Illukor wondering if the money is to be spent on appeasing the former Director of Internal Security Organisation (ISO) Kaka Bagyenda.

Col. Bagyenda, was sacked as ISO boss this month shortly after the expiry of his 3year contract in December 2019 and replaced him with Lt. Col. Charles Oluka, the former director-in-charge of technical services who had been initially fired by Bagyenda.

Col Kaka was appointed to ISO in January 2017, replacing Brig. Ronnie Balya.

In Reply Patrick Mugoya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied claims that the Angolan Embassy was being established for security reasons, telling the Budget Committee that Missions abroad are established to promote and protect Uganda’s interests.

He said that Uganda currently has 36 missions across the globe and Angola opened its mission in Uganda in 2007 and it is important that Uganda reciprocates in order to deepen our cordial bilateral relations.

Mugoya also added that with opening up commercial flights to Luanda, this will present business opportunities for our private sector.

Government also argued that Angola is playing a big role in efforts to normalise relations between Uganda and Rwanda and chaired the Luanda Summit at which the Heads of State between Uganda and Rwanda signed MOU on normalisation of our relations.


Friday 30th October 2020 11:37:00 PM