Envoys get new terms of service
Feb 23, 2009
UGANDA'S envoys abroad will be required to speak more than one international language under the new terms of employment.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
and Anne Mugisa
UGANDA'S envoys abroad will be required to speak more than one international language under the new terms of employment.
The permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry, Ambassador James Mugume, in an interview cited the languages as Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Arabic and Russian.
“Most of us speak English. It is now high time we have knowledge of more languages than English,†Mugume said.
This is one of the issues to be discussed at the annual retreat for Uganda’s heads of mission which opened yesterday at the Rider Hotel in Seeta, Mukono district.
The envoys are expected to discuss new policies on the strategic investment plan, acquisition and management of properties abroad, and human resource management.
The retreat is meant to take stock of how Uganda’s diplomats are performing their functions.
Earlier, state minister for international affairs Okello Oryem said the envoys would be required to speak at least three foreign languages.
“We want to shift from ceremonial work to commercial activities which could attract investors and tourists to Uganda,†Okello explained.
Among the new conditions, Okello said, the officials must be computer literate, have business skills and informed about worldwide political issues.
Okello said the ministry would renovate some embassies.
“An ambassador must be able to market all activities in Uganda and also lure new investors, including the diaspora,†he added.
The conditions, which are still at consultation level, would be implemented in the next financial year.
A total of 25 ambassadors had registered for the retreat by press time.
At the end of the retreat, Mugume said, the members will come up with a white paper to be discussed by the Cabinet.
“We need to work harder so as to place Uganda strategically on the international map and to put to good use the benefits that accrue from strategic positioning,†minister Sam Kuteesa said in a speech read by the state minister for regional affairs, Isaac Musumba.
and Anne Mugisa
UGANDA'S envoys abroad will be required to speak more than one international language under the new terms of employment.
The permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry, Ambassador James Mugume, in an interview cited the languages as Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Arabic and Russian.
“Most of us speak English. It is now high time we have knowledge of more languages than English,†Mugume said.
This is one of the issues to be discussed at the annual retreat for Uganda’s heads of mission which opened yesterday at the Rider Hotel in Seeta, Mukono district.
The envoys are expected to discuss new policies on the strategic investment plan, acquisition and management of properties abroad, and human resource management.
The retreat is meant to take stock of how Uganda’s diplomats are performing their functions.
Earlier, state minister for international affairs Okello Oryem said the envoys would be required to speak at least three foreign languages.
“We want to shift from ceremonial work to commercial activities which could attract investors and tourists to Uganda,†Okello explained.
Among the new conditions, Okello said, the officials must be computer literate, have business skills and informed about worldwide political issues.
Okello said the ministry would renovate some embassies.
“An ambassador must be able to market all activities in Uganda and also lure new investors, including the diaspora,†he added.
The conditions, which are still at consultation level, would be implemented in the next financial year.
A total of 25 ambassadors had registered for the retreat by press time.
At the end of the retreat, Mugume said, the members will come up with a white paper to be discussed by the Cabinet.
“We need to work harder so as to place Uganda strategically on the international map and to put to good use the benefits that accrue from strategic positioning,†minister Sam Kuteesa said in a speech read by the state minister for regional affairs, Isaac Musumba.