KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday formally handed over the office of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation) from John Mulimba to Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune during a ceremony held at the ministry headquarters in Kampala.
The handover was presided over by Permanent Secretary Vincent Waiswa Bagiire and attended by senior management and staff of the ministry.
Speaking during the ceremony, Bagiire commended Mulimba for his service and contribution to advancing Uganda’s regional diplomacy over the past five years.
He highlighted Mulimba’s active participation in Joint Permanent Commissions (JPCs) with Uganda’s regional partners, describing the engagements as critical platforms for strengthening economic diplomacy and removing barriers to trade.
“A defining feature of the last five years has been Hon. Mulimba’s active engagement in Joint Permanent Commissions with Uganda’s most important regional partners,” Bagiire said.
“This year alone, five JPCs have been concluded, and they work as a vehicle for opening up markets for Ugandan products.”
He noted that the structured bilateral engagements had helped improve market access for Ugandan farmers, manufacturers and exporters while strengthening relations with neighbouring countries.
Bagiire thanked Mulimba for his leadership and wished him success in his future service to the country.
In his farewell remarks, Mulimba expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for entrusting him with the regional cooperation portfolio and praised the ministry’s technical staff for their support during his tenure.
“I found immense pleasure working with the team in promoting and defending Uganda’s foreign policy and will forever be part of the story of this Ministry,” Mulimba said.
He encouraged his successor to work closely with the ministry’s technical team and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong personal relationships with regional counterparts.
According to Mulimba, many diplomatic challenges are often resolved through informal engagements and direct communication rather than waiting for formal meetings.
He also pointed out that much of the ministry’s work yields results that are not always visible to the public but remain crucial to advancing Uganda’s interests through diplomacy and negotiations conducted behind closed doors.
Taking over the office, Kasolo thanked Mulimba for the warm reception and guidance and pledged to build on the achievements registered under his predecessor.
“I will work closely with the Ministry’s technical team to promote and defend Uganda’s foreign policy, expand market access for Ugandan goods, and advance regional integration for the benefit of our people,” Kasolo said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring continuity in the ministry’s work while bringing renewed energy to strengthening regional cooperation and economic diplomacy.
The transition comes at a time when Uganda continues to prioritize regional integration, cross-border trade and economic cooperation as key pillars of its foreign policy agenda.