Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected an offer by musician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine to airlift Ugandan who are stuck in China.
Kyagulanyi, a leader of People Power Movement on April 15, notified the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda about his partnership with an American media owner and businessman Neil Nelson to evacuate 285 people from China including Ugandans and other black Africans.
Bobi Wine told Rugunda plans were underway to charter a private Jet Airbus A330-200 to repatriate the people and urged government to allow them into the country.
Okello Oryem the junior Foreign Minister told the media that the responsibility of protecting the Ugandans abroad lies with the Head of State.
“If any Ugandan succeeds and achieves, it’s the responsibility of the President of Uganda, if any Uganda dies abroad, this is also the responsibility of the President of Uganda. Does he have the capacity to be held responsible for all of this, no? This is a foreign policy issue that you do not just wake up to do,” Oryem told Uganda Radio Network.
He reminded Bobi Wine that through his Ministry, the government is registering Ugandans abroad, in America, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
Oryem wonders of Bobi Wine can handle the quarantine costs, adding that will Bobi Wine evacuate other Ugandans stuck in different parts of the world.
But the spokesperson of People Power Movement Mr Joel Ssenyonyi insists that his boss and his partners will cater for all of the costs, including the quarantine and feeding. He says the government should not ignore its citizens suffering abroad.
