Uganda Moves to Deepen Qatar Ties as Kasolo Arrives With Museveni’s Message

DOHA, Qatar — Uganda’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, has arrived in Doha on a special mission to deliver President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s personal message of condolence to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, following the passing of the Father Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The high-level visit signals the importance Uganda attaches to its growing strategic partnership with Qatar and follows the government’s earlier official condolences conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Hon. Kasolo’s signing of the Book of Condolences at the Embassy of Qatar in Kampala.

Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport, Hon. Kasolo was received by Uganda’s Special Presidential Envoy to Qatar, Amb. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, Deputy Ambassador Muhammad Baswale Kezaala, and senior protocol officials from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Uganda’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune (L), joined by Qatar’s Chief of Protocol, H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo (C) and Uganda’s Special Presidential Envoy to Qatar, Amb. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu (R)

The Ugandan delegation was formally welcomed by Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo, Qatar’s Chief of Protocol, who praised the warm and expanding relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Fakhroo commended Ambassador Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu for his instrumental role in establishing Uganda’s Embassy in Doha and acknowledged his continued efforts in strengthening bilateral cooperation. He also applauded Deputy Ambassador Muhammad Baswale Kezaala for his professionalism and close collaboration with Qatari authorities.

Hon. Kasolo thanked the Government of Qatar for the warm reception and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Gulf nation. He emphasized that President Museveni’s foreign policy remains firmly anchored on economic and commercial diplomacy aimed at attracting investment, boosting trade, creating jobs and advancing sustainable development.

The Acting Minister urged Uganda’s diplomatic team in Doha to intensify engagement with Qatari government institutions, sovereign wealth funds and private investors to unlock opportunities in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, tourism, labour export, education and technology.

During his stay, Hon. Kasolo is expected to hold a series of high-level meetings before formally presenting President Museveni’s message of condolence to the Amir. The visit is also expected to reinforce the already strong Uganda–Qatar partnership and open new avenues for strategic cooperation.

Qatar remains one of Uganda’s most important partners in the Gulf region, with bilateral relations continuing to grow across trade, investment, aviation, labour, education and development cooperation. Ugandan officials say the visit is expected to give fresh momentum to efforts aimed at expanding cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.