World tourism body suspends Uganda
Sep 03, 2006
ARREARS in membership contribution worth $260,000 (about sh482m) and failure to submit a payment plan for the money has earned Uganda a suspension from the world Tourism organisation (WTO).
By Cyprian Musoke
and Apollo Mubiru
ARREARS in membership contribution worth $260,000 (about sh482m) and failure to submit a payment plan for the money has earned Uganda a suspension from the world Tourism organisation (WTO).
In its report to Parliament on the tourism sub-sector on Friday, the committee on tourism, trade and industry said Uganda was on the verge of being suspended from other world tourism bodies for defaulting on membership payments.
The others are the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) ($380,000), International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) (US$100,000), and the United Nations Industrial Development organisation (US$11,000).
“Uganda is still in arrears on its annual membership contributions to almost all international organisations with whom the country is associated.
“In some cases like with the WTO, the country has been suspended from enjoying membership rights and benefits due to the long outstanding arrears,†the report notes.
They said the ministry informed them that it receives only sh150m to cater for the international obligations and that despite the flexibility of the organisations asking for payment schedules, they could not be met by the ministry of finance.
The committee recommended that contribution to membership of the WTO be catered for in the budget this financial year.
Ends
and Apollo Mubiru
ARREARS in membership contribution worth $260,000 (about sh482m) and failure to submit a payment plan for the money has earned Uganda a suspension from the world Tourism organisation (WTO).
In its report to Parliament on the tourism sub-sector on Friday, the committee on tourism, trade and industry said Uganda was on the verge of being suspended from other world tourism bodies for defaulting on membership payments.
The others are the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) ($380,000), International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) (US$100,000), and the United Nations Industrial Development organisation (US$11,000).
“Uganda is still in arrears on its annual membership contributions to almost all international organisations with whom the country is associated.
“In some cases like with the WTO, the country has been suspended from enjoying membership rights and benefits due to the long outstanding arrears,†the report notes.
They said the ministry informed them that it receives only sh150m to cater for the international obligations and that despite the flexibility of the organisations asking for payment schedules, they could not be met by the ministry of finance.
The committee recommended that contribution to membership of the WTO be catered for in the budget this financial year.
Ends