MP Balaba Demands Tangible Results from Foreign Affairs Committee's New Knowledge

Rubanda West Member of Parliament, Bruce Balaba, has issued a strong call to the members of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasizing that the knowledge acquired during their recent orientation retreat must translate into tangible benefits for Ugandans. Speaking at the conclusion of the retreat, Balaba commended the committee members for their dedication and the facilitators for clarifying the committee’s crucial role and the complexities of foreign affairs.

He underscored that the true value of the induction lies in the practical application of the acquired knowledge to enhance legislation, bolster oversight capabilities, and shape a more effective foreign policy. Balaba specifically highlighted the need for Parliament to meticulously examine international treaties, agreements, and protocols. This scrutiny should focus on whether the responsible institutions possess the necessary capacity and resources for implementation, and critically, whether Uganda’s sovereignty and national interests are adequately protected.

“Parliamentary scrutiny must be substantive, not merely procedural,” Balaba asserted, calling for deeper engagement beyond procedural checks.

Turning his attention to economic diplomacy, Balaba expressed concern about Uganda’s ability to leverage its diplomatic presence for concrete economic gains. He advocated for a clear framework to guide decisions on establishing or closing diplomatic missions, aligning with the Tenfold Growth Strategy. Foreign missions, he argued, should actively identify export markets, attract investment, promote tourism, facilitate technology transfer, and foster commercial partnerships, all supported by robust accountability mechanisms.

“As a committee, we should be interested not only in the activities undertaken by our missions, but also in the opportunities secured, investments facilitated and markets opened. We must encourage clear performance indicators to enable Parliament to assess the economic return on our diplomatic engagements,” Balaba stated. He also stressed the importance of understanding and taking ownership of annual budgets and performance against them, proposing a structured approach to budget oversight and performance tracking.

Furthermore, Balaba urged the committee to prioritize Ugandans in distress abroad, particularly migrant workers, ensuring legal and policy frameworks adequately protect their rights and that they can access timely assistance. He concluded by encouraging members to use their enhanced understanding to strengthen scrutiny over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ policies, budgets, and international commitments, ultimately aiming to make the foreign affairs sector more relevant to the daily lives of Ugandans.

This information was originally reported by Nile Post.