Ahead of its preparation to host the Non-Aligned Movement (Nam) and G77+China summits due in January 2024, Uganda’s government plans to withdraw vehicles from its officials.
The vehicle withdrawal, which will commence next week, will include ministers and permanent secretaries. The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire, who hinted that many state officials’ plans to travel upcountry for the Christmas holidays might be affected by the move.
A large number of public servants who have access to official vehicles have taken to travelling in style in their rural homes during the holiday season. But if the ruling is strictly adhered to, things might be different this year.
According to Bagiire, the nation needs at least 1,200 cars to transport delegates to and from the venues for the two summits.
“The vehicles we are targeting are those for the ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and all those entitled officers. All official cars will be withdrawn effective December 18,” he added.
The 19th Nam summit will take place in Uganda from January 15–20, and the G77+China summit will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, outside of Kampala, from January 21–23. It is anticipated that 120 countries will send delegates to the Nam Summit, and 134 countries will send representatives to the second conference.