New Foreign Affairs Minister Ayebare Vows to Address Ministry's Challenges

Ambassador Adonia Ayebare has officially taken the helm at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing his commitment to resolving existing challenges within the institution. Sworn in recently, Ayebare, who has a history with the ministry, stated his intention to “fix issues at Foreign Affairs,” drawing on his extensive experience, including his tenure as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

Ayebare highlighted the ministry’s strong human capital, asserting that “this ministry is very easy to fix” due to its capable staff. He stressed the need for improved communication and coordination between headquarters and Uganda’s diplomatic missions worldwide, promising real-time support. “There is no excuse why we cannot support missions,” he declared.

The minister also issued a warning against internal conflicts within diplomatic missions, explaining that such disputes can significantly harm Uganda’s international image and hinder efforts in trade, investment, and diplomatic relations. He urged missions to concentrate on promoting national interests and fostering stronger ties with host countries.

Furthermore, Ayebare called for enhanced accountability for heads of diplomatic missions, advocating for clear performance targets. He recalled his own experience in New York, where he sought a formal performance charter without success, underscoring the importance of such frameworks for assessing and holding ambassadors accountable.

Challenging missions abroad, Ayebare urged them to be more proactive in attracting investment. He cited his success in New York, where a small team managed to attract major international companies like Boeing and Starlink, despite limited resources. He reiterated that the core of diplomacy lies in building and sustaining relationships, and that the ministry must return to these foundational principles.

Outgoing acting minister Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo echoed the need for better coordination, particularly in documenting and following up on investment leads generated by diplomatic missions. He noted that current operational silos and fragmented information sharing lead to achievements being overlooked, diminishing the ministry’s perceived contribution to economic development. Kasolo also raised concerns about the management of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy funds, urging for greater transparency and improved communication between ambassadors and accounting officers.

Source: Nile Post