Major hotels in Kampala have blacklisted the foreign affairs ministry for non-payment of bills totalling over sh40m. Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa said the ministry would require sh124m for hotel accommodation next financial year to enable it clear the debt.

He said in international practice, envoys are accorded hospitality, which includes accommodation, transport and meals. “The envoys have to be accommodated in befitting hotels around Kampala to reciprocate the hospitality accorded to Ugandan envoys when abroad,” he said.

Kutesa was presenting the ministry’s budget estimates for the 2006/07 financial year before the parliamentary committee on presidential and foreign affairs.

He said the ministry had accumulated domestic arrears to other service providers amounting to sh449m.

By Kisibo Jackie
Uganda hotel news