The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, has called upon Ugandan ambassadors to champion the country’s economic interests with renewed vigor, precision, and focus as part of their diplomatic mandate.
Okello made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the Annual Ambassadors Conference 2025, which commenced on Monday at Gulu University. The week-long gathering, anchored on the theme, “Strengthening the Foreign Service’s Contribution to National Development,” brings together Uganda’s top diplomatic leadership to review progress, share strategies, and realign foreign missions with the nation’s development priorities.
“We convene at a time of unprecedented global challenges. Yet, these challenges give us an opportunity to reflect, realign, and strengthen Uganda’s Foreign Service to deliver on our national development agenda,” Okello said.
“This conference serves as an opportunity to build coherence between policy, diplomacy, and parliamentary accountability for the greater good of our nation.”
He applauded ambassadors and heads of mission for their resilience and dedication, noting that they serve in diverse contexts ranging from conflict zones to more comfortable postings.
“I deeply appreciate your resilience and dedication in representing Uganda wherever you are posted,” Okello said.
Highlighting Uganda’s recent diplomatic successes, Okello pointed to concrete achievements such as mobilisation of the diaspora and securing a Shs 7.09 trillion investment deal at the UAE Business Forum.
He stressed that such results demonstrate the critical role of economic diplomacy in advancing national interests.
Okello further underscored the need for missions abroad to align their work with Uganda’s Tenfold Strategy, the upcoming National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), and the government’s ATMS priorities of agro-industrialization, tourism development, mineral exploitation, and advancements in science and technology.
“Our ambassadors must act as frontline agents of trade, investment, and innovation. They must tell Uganda’s story, attract strategic partnerships, and ensure our foreign engagements translate into tangible benefits for our people,” Okello said.
The conference is expected run till Friday, serving as a platform for dialogue, reflection, and the exchange of strategies to ensure Uganda’s Foreign Service remains at the forefront of promoting peace, regional integration, and economic diplomacy.
