The Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Mr. Thomas Tayebwa, has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo, to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding Uganda’s sizable delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last month. This directive was issued in response to concerns raised by the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Muwada Nkunyingi.
Mr. Nkunyingi expressed the need for formal clarification, as contradictory statements from government officials had emerged since the issue was first reported in the media. He requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brief the Parliament on the delegation’s approval process and the roles of each member.
Furthermore, Mr. Nkunyingi urged key ministers, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister Kasule Lumumba, Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo, and their deputies, Okello Oryem and John Mulimba, along with Minister Hilary Onek, to individually address their roles in the delegation’s anomalies.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa agreed to the request, scheduling the Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a comprehensive statement the following day. However, he noted that other government officials mentioned in the matter could make personal statements voluntarily but not under compulsion.
This parliamentary demand for clarification follows President Museveni’s recent inquiries into the issue, where he questioned Deputy President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Nabbanja. Their response during a National Resistance Movement Parliamentary Caucus indicated that they had each traveled with only a small team, despite the delegation’s overall size.
