Køge, Denmark – Mr. Vincent Bagiire Waiswa the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially commenced a five-day staff retreat for the Uganda Embassy in Copenhagen, which was held at Rox Resort in Køge, Denmark. The retreat was held under the theme, “Strengthening Staff Capacity and Teamwork for Effective Delivery of the Mission’s Strategic Objectives and Uganda’s Tenfold Strategy.” It brought together Embassy staff to review the Mission’s performance, strengthen teamwork and institutional effectiveness, enhance professional capacity, and align its programmes with Uganda’s national development priorities.
The discussions were anchored in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the Tenfold Economic Strategy, and Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy agenda, with emphasis on translating foreign policy priorities into measurable outcomes. In his opening remarks, Mr. Bagiire commended the Head of Mission and staff for their commitment to advancing Uganda’s interests in Denmark and the Mission’s wider areas of accreditation. He emphasized that an effective diplomatic mission depends on teamwork, discipline, professionalism, innovation, accountability and a shared commitment to results.
Mr. Bagiire encouraged staff to use the retreat as a platform for candid reflection, knowledge sharing and practical problem-solving, rather than as a purely social engagement. He called for stronger internal coordination and urged staff to ensure that every Mission activity contributes directly to Uganda’s foreign policy objectives and delivers tangible value to the country. He further underscored the importance of professional conduct, integrity and responsive service delivery, noting that Uganda’s image abroad is significantly shaped by the conduct and performance of its diplomatic representatives.
The retreat provided an opportunity to assess the Mission’s achievements and challenges, identify emerging diplomatic and economic opportunities, strengthen internal communication, and develop practical strategies for more effective execution of the Embassy’s mandate. Facilitators included Amb. Richard Kabonero, Head of Regional Economic Cooperation and Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (REC/ECD) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ambrose Promise, Commissioner/Accounts at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Evans Aryabaha, Head of Consular Department, Mr. Robert Nabende, Senior Economist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and senior immigration officers from the National Citizenship and Immigration Control.
The retreat also coincided with a diaspora outreach programme aimed at facilitating the enrolment of National Identification Cards and passports for Ugandans residing in the Nordic and Baltic region, reinforcing the Mission’s commitment to accessible and responsive consular services.
