By Jimmy Muhumuza
Parliament
This is after the Chief Executive Officer of the Board Lilly Ajarova informed the committee that the board was given 360 billion shillings to spend at the expo out of the 3.4 billion they had requested.
Ajarova informed the committee that the money was spent on buying air tickets and visas for the dignitaries who traveled first class 52 million, those who traveled economy class 9.5 million, PCR testing for COVID-19 28MILLION, Per diem for traveling delegation83.3 million, promotional materials which included kitenge, bags, safari hats, gomesi, and Kanzu20.5 million shillings.
Other items included Ugandan baskets for display 3million shillings, production of two short films 10 million, 4 gift packs for panelists 2 million shillings .courier of promotional materials to UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar 7.1 million shillings, travel trade in Abudhabi 68.5 million shillings, travel trade in Dubai 68.5 million shillings and senior executives meeting 12.4 million shillings.
The members of parliament on the committee were disappointed with the items on which the Uganda Tourism board spent their funds.
The Mbarara city South division mp Mwine Mpaka wondered the criteria the board used to select tour companies they took to the expo.
The Buhweju county mp Francis Mwejukye was shocked to learn that most of the money was spent on other items which did not involve promoting the country.
The district woman mp for Hoima Businge Harriet questioned why most money was spent on welfare and not promoting the country as was expected.
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The Igara west mp Mbwatekamwa Gaffa wondered why what kind of Kanzu,s biting and Gomesi cost 20 million shillings and wondered why of all people Uganda Tourism board had to facilitate the Executive director of Uganda wildlife Authority.
The Mbarara city woman mp Rita Atukwasa asked the board to explain Uganda’s brand and unique tourism offerings.
The meeting however came to an abrupt end after realizing that the board had shared with them a revised budget instead of the actual expenditure.
Ajarova informed the committee they do not have an actual expenditure as they are yet to account for the funds but assured MPs that it is this budget they had used.
