Museveni welcomes France, Thailand and Ireland ambassadors-designate to Uganda

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President Yoweri Museveni has formally received credentials from three new Ambassadors-designate to Uganda.

During the Tuesday, September 16, 2025, event, Museveni pledged stronger bilateral co-operation with Ireland, France and Thailand in areas of education, infrastructure, security, trade, and socio-economic transformation.

The new envoys are Margaret Gaynor of Ireland, Virginie Leroy of France and Morakot Janemathukorn of Thailand.

Uganda–Ireland ties

In his meeting with Ireland’s Ambassador-designate, Gaynor, President Museveni emphasised Uganda’s ongoing commitment to women's empowerment and girl-child education as critical pillars for the country’s development.

“That FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) is bad biology, but it is fading away. We are expanding and emphasising girl-child education and women empowerment programmes. Previously, women were excluded and reduced to being housewives and dependents all the time, and when the husband dies, the family depends on the eldest son in the family. This is going to stop,” the President said.

Ms Margaret Gaynor, ambassador of Ireland to Uganda with President Museveni.

On economic development, Museveni underscored Uganda’s strategy of driving socio-economic transformation through four key sectors: Commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.

Gaynor, who succeeds Kevin Colgan, brings wide diplomatic experience, having served as deputy head of mission and co-operation at the Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania. She was accompanied by her spouse, Jean-Louis Brudey, deputy head of mission Jill Clements, Second Secretary Caoimhe O’Hagan and economic advisor Peter Michael Oumo.

Uganda and Ireland have enjoyed diplomatic relations for over three decades, with Ireland’s support playing a pivotal role in strengthening education systems, particularly in enhancing access, quality and equity.

Uganda–France relations

President Museveni poses for a group photo with the French delegation.

President Museveni also welcomed back Leroy, who previously served in Uganda between 2014 and 2019.

President Museveni meeting Mrs Virginie Leroy.

Ambassador Virginie Leroy gifting President Museveni.

Expressing gratitude to France for its consistent support in infrastructure development, Museveni noted: “I not only want infrastructure, but also support in wealth creation.”

He further commended France for its role in training the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in mountain warfare, which he described as vital for strengthening national security.

Ambassador Leroy said she was delighted to return to Uganda.

“I’m so delighted to return to the Pearl of Africa as France's new Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Uganda. Looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, meeting new ones, and further advancing the long-standing Uganda-France partnership.”

She was accompanied by deputy head of mission Janyce Obrecht, defence attaché LCL Sebastien Berger, head of economic service Gregory Sidrack and Marc Trouyet, the country director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Uganda.

Uganda–Thailand partnership

President Museveni poses for a group photo with the Thailand delegation.

Janemathukorn was accompanied by First Secretary Thitiwoot Techapun, Uganda’s honorary consul Barbra Mulwana and administrative assistant Andrew Orwenyo Mokua.

President Museveni receiving credentials from Ms Morakot Janemathukorn.

Discussions focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Uganda and Thailand, with emphasis on trade, investment, and cultural cooperation.

The ceremony, held at State House Entebbe, was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Odong Jeje Abubakhar.