Rugunda urges Uganda's diplomats to promote trade, tourism

The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions to play an increased role in trade and tourism promotion.  He noted that Uganda like many other states, has in the past been preoccupied with traditional diplomacy which was no longer applicable.

He also noted that Uganda's strong regional and international profile place a huge responsibility on the Ministry, especially in handling issues that are steadily expanding in terms of reach and complexity.

Rugunda was addressing the Ambassador's annual conference which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala, held under the theme: ‘Implementation of the Ministry's 2nd Strategic Investment Plan towards realization of Vision 2040'.

He commended the Ambassadors Annual Conference, which he said allows exchange of knowledge and experience sharing. He stressed that such a conference was essential in the efficient and effective discharge of duties abroad.

The Conference builds on a retreat concluded over the weekend, with the aim of deepening understanding of the Ministry's strategic Investment Plan II, and how it can be implemented in order to realize vision 2040.

The Premier said implementation of vision 2040 will depend on actions that will be undertaken by government and other stakeholders through short and medium term National Development Plans. ‘I would like to thank management for undertaking a review of the Ministry's Strategic Investment Plan' he said.  
 

Rugunda reiterated government's commitment to the realization of vision 2040. ‘I pledge the support of the Office of the Prime Minister which has the additional mandate of coordinating the implementation of the NDP II', he said.
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa said this was the 8^th Annual Ambassadors' Conference. ‘These annual conferences are held specifically to share views and perspectives on new and emerging issues in the foreign policy', he said.

He called upon Heads of Missions to positively contribute towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and also double their efforts to attract more Foreign Direct Investment.

Kutesa reiterated the need to continue mainstreaming commercial diplomacy into foreign policy work. ‘We are engaging with the Finance Ministry to provide funding to support commercial diplomacy', he said.

The conference was also attended by the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Philemon Mateke, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and the Ministry Senior staff.