Kampala, Uganda – The Department of Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed Mrs. Anne Babinaga, Minister Counsellor, as its new Head, following the posting of Mrs. Margaret Kafeero, Minister Counsellor and former Head of Public Diplomacy, to the Uganda Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for her next tour of duty. The leadership transition was formally marked through a handover ceremony held at the Ministry Headquarters in Kampala, bringing to a close an interim leadership arrangement and ushering in a new phase of substantive leadership for the Department.
Mrs. Babinaga is a career Foreign Service Officer with extensive experience in regional economic cooperation, economic and commercial diplomacy, market access, international engagement and strategic stakeholder relations. Her professional background brings a broad perspective to public diplomacy, particularly in connecting Uganda’s foreign policy priorities, economic interests, people, culture and national narrative with audiences and partners at home and abroad.
Following Mrs. Kafeero’s posting, Mr. Stilson Muhwezi, First Secretary, served as Acting Head of the Public Diplomacy Department for two months. During the interim period, he provided leadership and ensured continuity in the implementation of the Department’s mandate, programmes and activities as the Ministry undertook the process of appointing a substantive Head of Department.
The formal handover subsequently saw Mr. Muhwezi transfer the leadership and responsibilities of the Department to Mrs. Babinaga, formally concluding the interim arrangement and ensuring a smooth and orderly transition. The ceremony was witnessed by staff of the Public Diplomacy Department and provided an opportunity to welcome the new Head of Department while reaffirming the Department’s collective commitment to continuity, professionalism and effective service to Uganda’s national interests.
Speaking on behalf of staff, Mr. Muhwezi underscored the importance of teamwork, institutional collaboration and professionalism in advancing Uganda’s public diplomacy agenda. He noted that the Department plays a strategic role in projecting Uganda’s image, communicating the country’s foreign policy priorities, promoting national interests and strengthening engagement with both domestic and international audiences. He also emphasised the importance of sustaining the momentum and achievements registered during Mrs. Kafeero’s tenure while identifying new opportunities to further enhance Uganda’s public diplomacy efforts.
The Permanent Secretary entrusted Mrs. Babinaga with the responsibility of building on the achievements of the Department and strengthening its contribution to Uganda’s diplomatic objectives, building on the institutional foundation established under the previous leadership. Under her stewardship, the Department is expected to advance key public diplomacy priorities, including strategic communication, country branding, cultural diplomacy, diaspora engagement and the promotion of Uganda’s national interests and positive image abroad.
In her remarks, Mrs. Babinaga expressed appreciation for the confidence entrusted in her and pledged to uphold the mandate of the Department in accordance with the guidance of the Permanent Secretary. She committed to providing inclusive and purposeful leadership anchored on teamwork, professionalism, institutional collaboration and collective responsibility. Mrs. Babinaga further emphasised the importance of preserving institutional strengths while embracing innovation, renewal and positive change. She noted that her leadership would seek to maintain continuity while opening new avenues for the Department to contribute to Uganda’s diplomatic engagement and foreign policy objectives.
The leadership transition therefore represented not only a change in office but also an affirmation of institutional continuity and the orderly transfer of responsibility within the Foreign Service. With Mrs. Babinaga assuming office, the staff and support staff of the Public Diplomacy Department reaffirmed their readiness to work collectively under the new leadership to strengthen Uganda’s public diplomacy, enhance the country’s visibility and deepen engagement with audiences and partners in Uganda and across the globe.
