Milton Olupot and Cyprian Musoke
16 October 2008
Kampala — THE Government will spend sh2.9b to host the first tripartite summit to be held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala from October 18-23.
Twenty-six heads of state and government from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East Africa Community (EAC) and South Africa Development Cooperation (SADC) are expected to attend the tripartite summit.
Presenting a statement to Parliament yesterday, Eriya Kategaya, the Minister for East African Community Affairs, said the regional blocks will contribute sh564m towards the event.
He said the summit will discuss economic and trade liberalisation, trading arrangements among the regional blocks infrastructural development, connectivity, and information and communications technology and the free movement of persons.
The heads of state will consider recommendations drawn by the ministers and make declarations.
While MPs welcomed the summit, they were concerned about the funding and accountability of the tax payer's money that was being sunk into the event.
Alice Alaso (FDC) said: "I agree that the tripartite summit is a good and honourable thing. I am concerned about the main objective. The minister says it attests to how the country has developed. I am worried about the flamboyant way in which we are marketing Uganda."
She queried how profitable the venture was.
"Yesterday, the Makerere University vice-chancellor told us that he may have to close the university due to lack of funds. We need this money for these domestic requirements. During CHOGM, we booked rooms in hotels that were never occupied and this was a burden on the taxpayers. Give us the cost-effectiveness of these delegations."
Christine Bako (FDC) querried how much money the country made from hosting CHOGM last year. She said the sh3b for the Tripartite meeting could be used to provide social services.
John Arumadri (FDC) asked: "Why is this cost not spread over among the countries attending this summit?"
Toskin Batile (NRM), however, said the meeting was important to Uganda.
"We should be looking forward to hosting more international functions. From the time we hosted CHOGM, Uganda has never been the same."
Ashraf Olega (NRM), Steven Mukitale Birahwa (NRM), Stephen Kagwera (NRM) and Angiro Gutomoi (FDC) demanded that the House is given a breakdown of how the funds will be spent so as to ensure accountability.
Onyango Kakoba (NRM) said regional blocks were the only way African countries can develop and get rid of poverty.
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