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Summary:

• The Opposition criticizes the Ugandan government for spending over Shs10 billion on 375 delegates attending the COP28 conference in Dubai, citing extravagant allowances and proposes limiting the delegation to reduce costs.

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The government’s use of taxpayers’ funds to support 375 delegates attending the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai has been strongly criticized by the Opposition for extravagance and financial mismanagement.

At a press conference held by the Katonga Road-based faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Mr. Harold Kaija, the secretary general, condemned the government’s lack of fiscal responsibility. He pointed out that the total cost, including airfare at $377 (Shs1.4m) per delegate, multiplied by 375 delegates and their per diem for 12 days, exceeded Shs10 billion.

Mr. Kaija emphasized that the money spent on the Dubai delegates could have funded the construction of at least 10 schools in Uganda, each costing Shs700 million. He highlighted the contradiction between the government’s rhetoric on frugality and its lavish spending on the COP28 event.

Referring to Circular Standing Instruction No. 6 of 2018, which outlines allowances for public officers and political leaders on official duty, Mr. Kaija underscored the entitlements for public officials attending COP28. He specifically mentioned the allowances for the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, State ministers, and Members of Parliament.

For instance, the Prime Minister is entitled to Shs3,330,000 per night, Shs370,000 as safari day allowance, and 20 percent of the night allowance as out-of-pocket allowance, totaling around Shs52,392,000 for the 12-day COP28 period.

Cabinet ministers have their own set of allowances, including Shs3,145,000 as night allowance, Shs370,000 as day allowance, and Shs629,000 as out-of-pocket allowance, totaling Shs298,368,000 for six ministers over 12 days.

The four State ministers attending COP28 are entitled to Shs2,664,000 as night allowance, Shs370,000 as day allowance, and Shs6393,600 as out-of-pocket allowance each, with a total expenditure of Shs171,206,400.

Members of Parliament are entitled to Shs2,664,000 in allowances per day, resulting in about Shs31,968,000 for each lawmaker over 12 days. The total expenditure on the 58 lawmakers at COP28 could amount to approximately Shs1.9 billion.

The projected total government expenditure on allowances for some COP28 delegates is estimated to be around Shs2.4 billion. Tororo North County MP Geofrey Ekanya (FDC) expressed dissatisfaction, stating that Uganda could have limited its delegation to five representatives, and he plans to propose a motion in Parliament to address excessive spending on such conferences and suggest reducing the presidential convoy to cut costs.