KAMPALA — Sweden’s new Ambassador-designate to Uganda, Anna-Maria Olsson, has pledged to deepen the longstanding partnership between the two countries, with a particular focus on promoting Swedish investment and business opportunities in Uganda.

Olsson, who has begun her first week in office, said she was delighted to return to Uganda, describing the country as one where she has previously lived and worked.

“This is my first week in office but it’s not my first time to Uganda. It’s my third time to live and work in this beautiful country and I’m very happy to be back,” she said.

The diplomat arrived in Kampala from Stockholm, where she served at Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She has also previously worked in the region, including in Kampala, Bujumbura and Kinshasa, and lived in Kigali.

Olsson said her extensive experience in the region had strengthened her appreciation of Uganda and its people, noting that she has spent five of her 10 years working in the region in Uganda.

She has returned to Uganda with her family and said she was particularly excited about building on the existing strong relations between Sweden and Uganda.

“I’m most excited to continue to build on the very strong partnership that exists between Sweden and Uganda,” Olsson said.

According to the ambassador-designate, while the two countries already have a strong foundation for cooperation, there are opportunities to expand their partnership, particularly in trade and investment.

“One of those is the interest that we see from Swedish companies to come and invest and do business in Uganda, so I’m here to support that work,” she said.

Olsson also emphasised the importance of people-to-people engagement, saying diplomacy goes beyond government-to-government relations.

“Diplomacy is about building relationships, partnerships, engaging in dialogue,” she said, adding that she looks forward to meeting partners from across Ugandan society.

The new envoy said she would also like to travel widely across Uganda and, if possible, visit all the districts to engage directly with communities and stakeholders.

Beyond her diplomatic responsibilities, Olsson said she was looking forward to working with the Swedish Mission to Uganda, describing its team as “wonderful and excellent.”

With her family also excited about returning to Uganda, Olsson said she was ready to begin her new assignment.

“Now I look forward to pulling up my sleeves and getting to work,” she said.

She succeeds Ambassador Maria Håkansson, whose tenure saw Sweden-Uganda relations continue to strengthen, particularly in the education sector. Last week, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa commended Håkansson for her role as a strong link between Uganda and Sweden, highlighting her contribution to the longstanding bilateral relationship and the promotion of education in Uganda.