The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit will begin in Kampala, Uganda on January 15, 2024
In a strong demonstration of diplomatic goodwill, the Government of India has extended a helping hand to Uganda by donating a substantial consignment of vehicles and national symbols. This gesture comes just ahead of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), set to take place in Kampala, Uganda, later this month.
 
High Commissioner of India to Uganda Upender Singh Rawat, conveyed through a social media post, “On behalf of Govt. of India gifted 10 executive buses, 5 ambulances, 10 tractors and 2664 flags/flag poles promised by EAM @DrSJaishankar to @GenJejeOdongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs @UgandaMFA, to support Ugandan side to host @NAM_Uganda & @G77Summit_Ug Summits.”
 
These resources are earmarked to facilitate the successful hosting of the NAM summit and the G77 summit in Uganda.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda acknowledged the receipt of these donations via their official social media, stating, “The MFA @GenJejeOdongo received a donated consignment of buses, ambulances, tractors and assorted flags for @NAM_Uganda and @G77summit_Ug plus observer nations and international organizations from the Republic of India at the Ministry Headquarters in Kampala - Uganda.”
 
The donated items were formally handed over by High Commissioner Rawat in a ceremony at the Ministry's headquarters in Kampala, setting the stage for the upcoming Summits scheduled for January 15-20 and January 21-22, 2024.
 
Uganda's role as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, representing Africa from 2022 to 2025, furthers the relevance of this summit.
 
During a visit to Uganda in April 2023, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Ugandan counterparts had fruitful discussions on cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, defence, health, digital technology, and agriculture.
 
The NAM, established in 1961 during the peak of the Cold War and the decolonization period, serves as the largest political coordination and consultation forum after the United Nations. It includes 120 member states from the developing world and maintains a policy of not formally aligning with or against any major power bloc.
 
As the host nation, Uganda's preparations for the summit have been significantly assisted by India's contribution, reflecting a strong bond of supportive collaboration and a symbiotic exchange between the two nations.