Mugume hands over Office to new PS Mugoya

Ambassador James Mugume (L) hands over the office of the Permanent Secretary to ambassador Patrick Mugoya( R) as the minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa(C) observes.

Ambassador James Mugume has handed over the office of the Permanent Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service to his successor, Ambassador Patrick Mugoya.

Mugume handed office on Friday during an emotional ceremony.

Mugume has served in Foreign Service for 43-years as a diplomat and later as Permanent Secretary.

His successor,   Mugoya is also a career diplomat, who joins the ministry following 5 years as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, according to statement issued from the foreign ministry.

The ceremony, which took place at the Ministry's Wapakhabulo Auditorium was witnessed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa.

Mugume who joined the MoFA in 1973 at the starting rank of assistant-secretary served in various departments of the ministry, at the Uganda High Commission in New Delhi, the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations in New York and was responsible for the establishment of the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria (where he served as its first Ag. High Commissioner). He later served the ministry in the capacity of Director International Cooperation and was appointed to serve at the helm of the ministry as Permanent Secretary in August 2008 to until his retirement.

Mugume who graduated with a Bsc. Economics (MUK), holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Management from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, holds as Diploma from the US Foreign Policy Press School of Public Affairs from the University of Maryland and a certificate in Human Resource Administration and Civil Service Management from Ecole Nationale d'Administration, Paris.

In his remarks, Kutesa who is, the longest serving Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, gave a glowing tribute to Mugume whom he hailed not just as a colleague but as a friend.

He said Mugume's   9-year tenure as Permanent Secretary saw Uganda log several successes including CHOGM 2007 Meeting, Uganda's 2-year tenure as a non-Permanent member of the UN Security Council 2009-10, the establishment of the UN Logistics Base in Entebbe, election of Sam Kutesa as 69th President of the UN General Assembly, the successful completion of negotiations of UN Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals as well as Uganda's membership of the African Union Peace and Security Council.

He leaves the Ministry at a time when it experiences a paradigm shift from traditional to Commercial Diplomacy, prepares for the establishment of the Uganda Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs (UIDIA) and it awaits the passing of the Foreign Policy Bill.

"I know for certain that these are, by any measure, not small accomplishments. I am also aware of how invaluable Ambassador Mugume has been towards this success, and of his dedication to his duties across the span of his forty-three years of public service," said Kutesa.

Ambassador Patrick Mugoya, himself a career Diplomat, is a veteran of 33-years in the Foreign Service which he joined in 1979 and left for a 5-year stint in the Ministry of Tourism as Permanent Secretary. He holds a bachelor's Degree in Political Science (MUK), MA (international Relations) from Carleton University, Canada and a Post-graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Finance from the Uganda management Institute, Kampala.

Mugoya served as a Diplomat in Uganda's Missions in Ottawa, Rome and Pretoria and Uganda's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, as Deputy Permanent Representative during the tenure of Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda. He was Director for Regional Cooperation, an experience that saw him Head several Delegations during the negotiations of the EAC protocols before he was promoted to the rank of Permanent Secretary.

In his welcome remarks to the in-coming Permanent Secretary, Kutesa  said:  "Ambassador Mugoya arrives at an exciting time when the Ministry is in the process of restructuring, to among other things, create: a new Directorate of Protocol and Public Diplomacy; create five new departments and open missions in Brasilia, Havana, Seoul, Lusaka, Goma and Dubai."

He recalled that with regard to ‘Kisanja Hakuna Mchezo', President Yoweri Museveni on 22 October 2016, approved the Ministry's core Priorities for the Implementation of his Strategic Directives, as derived for the Ministry's Strategic Plan 2016-21. He underscored the fact that as the Ministry embarks on commercial diplomacy in earnest with a pilot project covering eight missions, he has "… the confidence that the Ministry will benefit from the experience at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities" He wished him the best of luck

Mugoya recalled his own 33 years in the Foreign Service in which he worked with Mugume as both a mentor and a friend.

He briefly outlined his plans and expectations, placing emphasis on team-work and commitment to work, respect at all levels and the exhibition of integrity and accountability at all times. He reminded Mugume that with almost a half-century of Institutional Memory the Ministry would continue to draw on his experiences and advice.

The handover ceremony was attended by the staff and senior management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.