About Us
Vision
A Secure Nation with Prosperous People
Mandate
Implementation and Management of Uganda's Foreign Policy.
Mission
To Promote and Protect Uganda's Interests Abroad.
Role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To effectively coordinate foreign policy development and its implementation.
Strategic Objectives of the Ministry
The strategic objectives of the Foreign Policy are to:
- promote regional and international peace and security;
- facilitate promotion of trade and tourism; and attraction of investment and transfer of technology;
- facilitate mobilisation of resources from abroad for development;
- facilitate promotion of inter-institutional partnerships and capacity building;
- facilitate maximization of benefits accruing from adherence to international obligations;
- provide protocol and consular services and protection;
- enhance Uganda's image abroad; and
- mobilise the Ugandan Diaspora for national development.
History of the Ministry
The history of Ministry of Foreign Affairs dates just before independence in 1962 and from 9th October 1962-1966, when it was under the office of the Prime Minister.
Below is the chart showing Foreign Ministers, Ministers of State for both Regional and International Affairs as well as the Permanent Secretaries since Uganda's Independence to date.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Name | Year |
Milton Obote | 1962 - 1966 |
Sam Odaka | 1966 - 1971 |
Wanume Kibedi | 1971 - 1973 |
Elizabeth Bagaya | 1974 - 1975 |
Michael Ondoga | 1975 |
Gen Idi Amin Dada | 1975 |
Juma Oris | 1975 - 1978 |
Otema Allimadi | 1979 - 1980 |
Olara Otunnu | 1985 - 1986 |
Ibrahim Mukiibi | 1988 - 1987 |
Paul K. Semwogerere | 1988 - 1994 |
Ruhakana Rugunda | 1994 - 1996 |
Eriya Kategaya | 1996 - 2001 |
James Wapakabulo | 2001 - 2003 |
Tom Butime | 2004 - 2005 |
Sam Kutesa | 2005 - Present |
State Ministers - International Affairs
Name Year Paul Etiang 1975 Albert Picho Owiny 1980 - 1985 Tarsis Kabwegyere 1987 - 1991 Kirunda Kivejinja 1991 - 1994 Martin Aliker 1994 - 1996 Owiny Dolo 1996 - 1998 Khiddu Makubuya 1998 - 1999 Alfred Mubanda 1999 - 2001 Tom Butime 2001 - 2005 Okello Oryem 2005 - to date
State Ministers - Regional Affairs
Name | Year |
Omara Atubo | 1988 - 1991 |
Bert Katurebe | 1991 - 1993 |
Agard Didi | 1993 - 1996 |
Rebecca Kadaga | 1996 - 1998 |
Ruhakana Rugunda | 1998 - 1999 |
Amama Mbabazi | 1999 - 2001 |
Kahinda Otafire | 2001 - 2003 |
Augustine Nshimye | 2003 - 2006 |
Isaac Musumba | 2006 - 2011 |
Asumani Kiyingi | 2011 - 2014 |
Dr Philemon Mateke | 2014 - to date |
Permanent Secretaries
Name | Year |
Richard Posnet | 1962 - 1963 |
Zerubaberi Bigirwenkya | 1963 - 1964 |
Sam Baingana | 1964 - 1971 |
Amb. Paul Etiang | 1971 - 1973 |
Amb. Matia Lubega | 1975 - 1976 |
Amb. John Ntimba | 1977 - 1978 |
Amb. Mark Ofwono | 1979 - 1981 |
Amb. John B Moli | 1981 - 1985 |
Amb. Francis Kasirye | 1985 - 1987 |
Joshua Kyalimpa | 1987 - 1988 |
Amb. Ernest Rusiita | 1988 - 1992 |
Amb. Nathan Odoi | 1992 - 1994 |
Amb. Daudi Taliwaku | 1994 |
Amb. Chris Katsigazi | 1994 - 1996 |
Amb. Stephen Nabeta | 1996 - 1998 |
Ralph Ochan | 1998 - 2003 |
Amb. John Kityo Bakayana | 2003 - 2004 |
Amb. Julius Onen | 2004 - 2006 |
Amb. James Mugume Amb. Patrick Mugoya | 2007 - 2016 2017 to date |
With time , it was observed that the rapidly changing international economic and political environments made it imperative that the country realign its foreign policy to fit in the new world order. The changes in the international environment have been in the areas of demography; innovation; new media and social networks; environment (climate change); high demand for scarce resources; and changing nature of conflicts and insecurity. These changes provide Uganda with challenges and opportunities.
Moreover, both domestic and international economic and social political shifts in the eighties and nineties necessitated the revision of foreign policy and as a consequence the redefinition of the Ministry's roles and functions including emphasis from Political to economic diplomacy. All this combined require redefining and reviewing Uganda's foreign Policy which is currently ongoing.
In order to achieve the national interests and realise the national vision both in the medium and long term, the revised framework has identified Foreign Policy Priorities that the country must pursue. The identified priorities include: National Security (Regional and International Peace and Security, Regional Integration, compliance with International Law and International Human Rights obligations, and provision of Protocol and Consular Services); National Prosperity (mobilisation of the Diaspora for development, Oil and Gas Diplomacy, and Economic Diplomacy); and national well being (Public Diplomacy, and institution and capacity building).
The framework also makes proposals including; financing foreign policy, enactment of a Foreign Policy Act. It also proposes new structure of MoFA, International Political and Economic Coordination Mechanisms of Foreign Policy.
CURRENT MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Missions abroad have and continue to implement Uganda's Foreign Policy through: Promoting Regional and International Peace and Security; Commercial Diplomacy; Regional Integration; Implementing and Reporting Obligations on International Treaties and Conventions; Mobilizing Bilateral and Multilateral Resources for Development; Providing Protocol and Consular services to Ugandans and Foreign dignitaries as well as enhancing Uganda's image abroad through Public Diplomacy.