Uganda Reviews Diplomatic Missions Abroad
President Museveni has ordered a cost‑benefit review of Uganda’s foreign missions abroad. The plan aims to reduce the number of diplomatic missions from about 38 to approximately 15, citing concerns over effectiveness and return on investment.
Meanwhile, Minister Henry Oryem Okello has urged Uganda’s ambassadors to prioritize economic diplomacy — using embassies and consular networks to help secure trade, investment, market access, and partnerships aligned with Uganda’s development agendas.
Rationale
Uganda’s budgetary constraints and rising costs make maintaining extensive diplomatic networks expensive. There is a push to ensure each mission delivers tangible results: trade agreements, investment flows, diaspora engagement, etc.
With Uganda working to attract more foreign investment (e.g. in oil & gas, agro‑industry, minerals) diplomats are seen as front‑line actors in negotiating partnerships, attracting investors and facilitating export markets.
Effects & Concerns
Reduction of missions could mean fewer diplomatic outlets for Ugandans abroad, potentially affecting visa services, consular support, diaspora engagement.
Some strategically important countries or regions might lose high‑level representation, which could affect Uganda’s influence abroad.
There is risk in making cuts purely based on short‑term financial metrics rather than strategic geopolitical importance.
Strategic Moves
Embassies that remain will likely need to show performance metrics: how much trade/investment they bring in, how they support national strategic interests.
Stronger coordination between Foreign Affairs, Commerce / Trade, and Finance ministries will be essential so diplomatic missions are aligned with Uganda’s economic vision (Vision 2040, National Development Plans).
Diplomatic training, staff capacity, and change in mission mandates may be required to shift from traditional diplomatic functions to more commercially active, results‑oriented diplomacy.
