Uganda (Commonwealth) _ The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Group of 77 (G-77), and China are anticipated to bring at least 168 delegations from 135 nations. According to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the third South Summit will be held in Kampala next year.
As a result, Uganda will host two major international conferences in January of next year: the Nonaligned Movement (NAM) summit and the Group of 77 (G77) summit. This is a significant diplomatic and political milestone for Uganda. It provides the country with significant diplomatic prominence and political clout in global affairs. Both organizations reflect the hopes of people in the Global South whose voices are being silenced by the existing international system. Uganda’s chairmanship of both organizations comes at a pivotal juncture in global politics.
The unipolar era, in which one large state dominated the world, has come to an end. The world has entered a phase of multipolarity, with China emerging as a major contender for global domination to the United States. A revitalized Russia comes in third place. The United States established the present international system at the end of World War II.
Both China and Russia are increasingly challenging the present international order and, by extension, US leadership. China, for example, is establishing alternative institutions to counteract US hegemony. Through economic interplay (debt and commerce), it is also establishing forms of power and influence in other regions of the world. Russia is attempting something similar, but on a lesser scale. It is adopting armed measures to challenge US influence, as seen in Ukraine and Syria.
These events have given NAM new meaning and importance. This organization was formed to support the global south’s neutrality in such confrontations between and among the major countries. The objective of NAM is to keep less developed nations out of wars between major powers. Being nonaligned is the greatest way for them to live and develop.
This allows them to interact with competing camps for commerce and investment. It is also the greatest tactic for them to maintain their autonomy and maneuverability in the perilous business of foreign politics. As we have seen with Ukraine’s ambition to join NATO, being forced into opposing groups puts them at risk of catastrophe.
While hosting the NAM and G77 summits provides Uganda with significant diplomatic prominence and political capital, the long-term advantages stem from the economic potential available to the country in the medium to long term. Uganda is a poor country that requires worldwide exposure to market itself as a commerce, foreign direct investment, and tourist destination.
To position itself to reap the most benefits from these prospective gains, the country needs a long-term plan. In reality, Uganda was fortunate to be chosen to host both of these conferences almost five years ago. So we had plenty of time to prepare.
However, Kampala, the nation’s capital that will host these two important conferences, will be a horror show in late 2023. It’s filthy, with waste strewn all over the place. Its roadways are strewn with potholes and, in some spots, massive craters that resemble mini-lakes. Because the city’s drainage system is overloaded, even light rainfall convert streets into rivers.
Many structures along the city’s highways and streets are hazy due to the dust and dirt. Electricity cables dangle haphazardly across streets. Electricity cables dangle haphazardly across streets. The lack of respect for traffic laws by boda boda riders would make many visitors tremble at the city’s recklessness verging on chaos.
After allowing the city to deteriorate for decades, the government is now too late to repair it. Whatever changes they make in such a short period of time will not make Kampala a showpiece for Uganda in the same way that Kigali does.
