Uganda Frowns Against Meddlesome Attitude Of Envoys

Uganda’s foreign minister has warned foreign envoys in the country not to interfere in the East African nation’s internal affairs.

Henry Okello Oryem says he has told the envoys to use regular diplomatic channels with President Yoweri Museveni’s government to resolve their concerns about governance issues.

The Foreign Minister said Ambassadors and other diplomatic missions come with clear terms of reference by which we accept them to be diplomats in Uganda, amongst which its been made clear that if you have any views or any concerns both personal and official regarding anything, there are diplomatic channels which they should use and should under no circumstances use any other channels except those, which are very clearly charted.

Last week, Oryem summoned the head of the European Union delegation, Ambassador Roberto Ridolfi, after the envoy criticized Mr. Museveni’s State-of-the-Nation address.

The EU envoy said Museveni failed in his speech to address the controversy surrounding an army general’s letter, which called for an inquiry into the president’s alleged succession plan. The ambassador noted the president’s did not mention the closure of the Daily monitor newspaper, which published the general’s letter.

Oryem said there is need for diplomats to “strictly” adhere to rules they agreed to with the government in Kampala.

But critics say the government has become intolerant of dissent. They argue that the administration should be capable of accepting constructive criticisms.

He said that the government will not impede the work of foreign envoys in the country.

Opposition groups say President Museveni has yet to define measures to decisively deal with alleged corruption in his administration. The Foreign Minister disagreed.