Dodoma – Uganda has officially broken ground for its new High Commission Chancery in Mtumba, Dodoma—Tanzania’s newly established Government City.
The chancery, valued at over TZS 14 billion, is expected to be completed within two years and marks Uganda as one of the first nations to establish a diplomatic presence in Tanzania’s new capital.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by senior officials and diplomats from both Uganda and Tanzania, underscored the enduring friendship, shared history, and strategic partnership between the two East African neighbours.
“We have witnessed something remarkable I never imagined,” said Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, Director and Chief of Protocol at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This generous donation of land by the Tanzanian Government reflects true goodwill and reinforces our ability to serve Ugandans while deepening our bilateral engagement. Where you stand is where we stand.”
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania allocated five acres of prime land for the project, a move that complements its broader vision of relocating government and diplomatic institutions from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.
Hon. Fred Opolot, Deputy Chairperson of Uganda’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, hailed the initiative as a strategic and timely gesture: “Today’s event is more than a ceremonial laying of a stone. It’s a reaffirmation of Uganda’s enduring diplomatic presence and a thoughtful response to Tanzania’s visionary capital shift.”
Representing the host country, Hon. Denis Londo, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, applauded Uganda’s swift action: “This chancery will be more than an office—it will be a bridge for collaboration, a cultural hub, and a symbol of the special bond between our countries. Uganda is the first government to establish its diplomatic offices here in Dodoma, and we do not take that lightly.”
H.E. Ambassador Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, emphasized the symbolic importance of the chancery: “It will represent Uganda’s sovereignty, identity, and steadfast commitment to building stronger bilateral ties with Tanzania—a country with whom we share deep historical, cultural, and economic connections.”
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary S. Senyamule noted the city’s growing prominence, citing new infrastructure such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that enhances its connectivity:
“Dodoma is rapidly becoming a strategic hub, and the establishment of the Uganda High Commission here is a reflection of deepening regional engagement and investment potential.”
As construction begins, the Ugandan chancery is set to embody architectural distinction and serve as a platform for diplomacy, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation, laying the foundation for a new chapter in Uganda-Tanzania relations.
