ISTANBUL, Türkiye – Uganda’s diplomatic missions in the Middle East have convened in Istanbul for a strategic retreat aimed at strengthening economic and commercial diplomacy and unlocking new trade and investment opportunities for the country.
The five-day retreat, running from June 21 to 25, 2026, is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under the theme: “Unlocking Uganda’s Trade and Investment Potential through Economic and Commercial Diplomacy.”
The meeting has brought together officials from Uganda’s missions in Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ankara to assess the implementation of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) initiatives, review performance, and align priorities with Uganda’s development agenda for the 2026/27 financial year.
Opening the retreat, Ambassador Henry Mayega, Head of the International Economic Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government had significantly increased support to Uganda’s missions abroad in recognition of their role in driving socio-economic transformation.
“Over the last two financial years, the Ministry of Finance has increased funding and support to our missions. Missions have therefore received improved resources and should focus on achievable targets and activities that deliver measurable and tangible outcomes,” Ambassador Mayega said.
He urged diplomats to prioritise initiatives that directly contribute to trade promotion, investment attraction and economic growth.
Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of the newly established Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Hub, outlined efforts to strengthen coordination and improve the effectiveness of Uganda’s economic diplomacy agenda.
“We are addressing challenges related to coordination, stakeholder engagement and access to trade and investment information. Effective reporting and alignment with national priorities are critical if we are to maximise our contribution to tourism, trade, investment and economic growth,” Ambassador Kabonero said.
He emphasised that the Hub is working to ensure that the activities of Uganda’s missions support the country’s Ten-fold Growth Strategy, the Fourth National Development Plan and Vision 2040.
“We are building the capacity of our diplomats and stakeholders while providing feedback on the Half-Term Performance for FY2025/26 and Work Plans for FY2026/27 to the Ministry of Finance,” he added.
The retreat also featured a strategic outlook on the Middle East presented by Mr Joseph Enyimu, Commissioner for Economic Policy Development and Research at the Ministry of Finance, aimed at sharpening the mission’s focus and enhancing alignment with emerging economic opportunities in the region.
Hosting the retreat, Uganda’s Ambassador to Türkiye, H.E. Nusura Tiperu, commended the growing collaboration between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance in advancing Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.
“The partnership between the two ministries is critical in driving Uganda’s economic development objectives. Istanbul is a strategic global trade hub connecting Asia, Europe and the Middle East, making it an ideal location for reviewing progress and strengthening cooperation among our missions,” Ambassador Tiperu said.
She noted that the city provides a unique platform for Uganda’s diplomats to engage with emerging markets and explore opportunities for deeper economic partnerships.
The Istanbul retreat marks the conclusion of a series of regional Economic and Commercial Diplomacy reviews conducted earlier this year for Uganda’s missions in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe and the Americas.
The reviews form part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen Uganda’s economic diplomacy architecture and position the country’s missions abroad as key drivers of trade, investment, tourism and export promotion.