Government to close Uganda’s consulate in Dubai

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed to legislators sitting in the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament that they may have to close the Ugandan consulate in Dubai and replace it with a liaison office.

The officials led by the state minister for Regional Affairs John Mulimba together with the Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire were in the house to break down their ministry’s budget for 2023/24.

The officials revealed that since the Dubai consulate had not been given a vote on the budget, they are considering closing it and opening a liaison office instead.

Shocked legislators opposed the idea. They pointed out that hundreds of Ugandans who live and work in Saudi Arabia rely on the consulate. Thousands more who travel between Uganda and Dubai also use its service.

The foreign affairs team also informed the committee that Uganda’s delayed subscription payments for international organisations like IGAD, African Union, and United Nations among others are ruining the country’s credibility. They said that this failure directly affects the chances of Ugandan nationals who compete for positions in these organisations.

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