The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the role of diplomacy in advancing national development as Uganda’s Heads of Mission gathered on the third day of the Annual Ambassadors’ Conference at Gulu University.
The meeting, held under the theme “Strengthening the Foreign Service’s Contribution to National Development”, provided a platform for reviewing the performance of Missions abroad and aligning them with the country’s broader economic and political agenda.
Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, set the tone with a firm call for accountability and results. While welcoming proposals to enhance the resourcing of Missions, she reminded envoys that future support must be tied to clear, tangible outcomes.
“Diplomacy must deliver impact, not just presence,” Nakyobe said, urging ambassadors to embrace accountability, rise to the expectations of leadership, and ensure Uganda’s foreign service contributes substantively to development. Her remarks, though delivered with humor, carried a strong message of urgency for improved performance.
Nakyobe also presided over the launch of three key policy instruments: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Strategic Plan IV, the Client Charter, and the Service Delivery Standards. She described them as vital tools to ensure efficiency, professionalism, and greater responsiveness, especially in consular services.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Vincent Bagiire, commended Uganda’s envoys for their resilience under increasingly complex global conditions, stressing that effective teamwork, strong leadership, and clear delegation are critical for translating national priorities into measurable outcomes.
The conference also highlighted the interplay between diplomacy and security. Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Rtd. Gen. Kale Kayihura underscored the mutual reinforcement of diplomacy and defence in safeguarding peace and stability.
Economic diplomacy remained a central theme, with envoys tasked to attract foreign investment, open new markets, and forge strategic partnerships in science, technology, and regional integration.
As deliberations closed, Mr. Bagiire reiterated that Uganda’s diplomacy must go beyond political representation, delivering concrete benefits such as mobilized investments, job creation, and a strengthened national image.
From Gulu, the message was clear: Uganda’s foreign service will increasingly be measured not by its presence, but by its performance.
