In a controversial move, the Ugandan government is drawing public ire for dispatching a colossal 600-strong delegation to the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision has placed the government under intense scrutiny, raising questions about its spending choices in the face of revenue constraints.
Uganda's delegation is now among the largest in Africa, trailing closely behind Nigeria, the continent's second-largest economy, which boasts a delegation of over 1,400 members. The move comes just three months after the government faced criticism for sending two separate delegations totaling 70 officials to the UN General Assembly in New York, where some representatives were seemingly unrelated to the summit's theme.
The COP28 delegation comprises 13 ministers, 58 Members of Parliament, and several senior government officials. Critics argue that such large delegations, especially in the context of financial constraints, demand scrutiny based on the technical competence and capacity of individuals to meaningfully engage with the conference's crucial discussions.
Julius Mukunda, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group, emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the delegates' qualifications and their ability to contribute substantively to the conference's agenda.
Charles Odongtho, the spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, defended the delegation, stating that Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, as the head of the delegation, only traveled with seven staff from her office. However, this explanation has done little to quell public dissatisfaction.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr. Mathias Mpuuga, expressed concerns over the delegation's composition, suggesting that an audit should be conducted to assess the roles of each member.
Mpuuga remarked, "We need to do an audit of their role there. Otherwise, if we find out that their role is not directly related to the activity taking place, then we should consider that as a waste."
The controversy highlights a growing sentiment that the government's spending decisions are not aligned with the country's economic realities, prompting calls for accountability and a reevaluation of the delegation's purpose in Dubai.
