Kampala, Uganda – In this edition of Diplomatic Notes Newsletter, our content director Amiri Wabusimba held a virtual interview with H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru, Uganda’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany, with concurrent accreditation to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and the Holy See, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Organisations in Vienna.
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: I am honoured to join Diplomatic Notes to reflect on my journey in public service, the work of Uganda’s Mission in Berlin, and the role diplomacy plays in advancing Uganda’s national development agenda through Economic and Commercial Diplomacy. Our Mission is committed to strengthening partnerships that promote trade, investment, education, technology transfer and sustainable development for the mutual benefit of Uganda and our partners.
Q: Your journey began in rural Uganda before taking you from veterinary science into politics and diplomacy. Looking back, what aspects of your upbringing, education and community shaped the leadership values that continue to guide your public service?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: I was born in Kidiki, Namwendwa Sub-county in Kamuli District. I attended Kidiki Primary School before completing my primary education at Kinu Primary School, later joining BUBINI SS-Kalilo District and the Veterinary Training Institute in Entebbe. Growing up in a farming community taught me discipline, hard work and the value of serving others. Rural life showed me that effective leadership begins with addressing the everyday needs of people. These experiences inspired my commitment to improving livelihoods through agriculture and later public service. I was also fortunate to receive guidance from leaders such as Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and the late Dr. Kazungu, whose mentorship reinforced the importance of integrity, humility and servant leadership principles that continue to shape my work as Uganda’s representative abroad.
Q: Your education spans vocational training, university studies and specialised agricultural training in the Netherlands. How has this journey influenced your understanding of leadership and Uganda’s development priorities?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: I was born in Kidiki, Namwendwa Sub-county in Kamuli District. I attended Kidiki Primary School before completing my primary education at Kinu Primary School, later joining Woodini Senior Secondary School and the Veterinary Training Institute in Entebbe. Growing up in a farming community taught me discipline, hard work and the value of serving others. Rural life showed me that effective leadership begins with addressing the everyday needs of people. These experiences inspired my commitment to improving livelihoods through agriculture and later public service. I was also fortunate to receive guidance from leaders such as H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museven, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and the late Dr. Kazungu, whose mentorship reinforced the importance of integrity, humility and servant leadership principles that continue to shape my work as Uganda’s representative abroad.
Q: You progressed from Veterinary Assistant to Animal Husbandry Officer, District Chairperson and now Ambassador. What inspired your transition into diplomacy, and what leadership principles have remained constant throughout your career?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: My move into diplomacy was a natural continuation of public service rather than a planned career path. Serving farming communities as a Veterinary Assistant and Animal Husbandry Officer gave me firsthand insight into people’s needs and the importance of responsive leadership. That experience led me into local government, where I served as District Councillor, Speaker of the District Council and later District Chairperson.
When I was appointed Ambassador, I saw another opportunity to advance Uganda’s national interests. One principle has guided me throughout my career: leadership begins with listening. Entering diplomacy, I relied on the expertise of experienced career diplomats while contributing my own leadership and administrative experience. That spirit of teamwork, mutual respect and continuous learning has remained central to my service in every assignment.
Q: You have represented Uganda in Malaysia, Türkiye and now Germany, one of Europe’s largest economies, with concurrent accreditation to several other European countries. How long have you served as Ambassador, and what achievements best define your diplomatic journey?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: I was appointed Ambassador on 18 August 2012, a date that coincided with my birthday and remains one of the most memorable milestones in my public service career. Following my first posting to Malaysia in 2015, I served in Türkiye from 2017 for five years before assuming my current role in Germany, with concurrent accreditation to Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and the Holy See, while also serving as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Organisations in Vienna. I consider my achievements to be collective rather than individual. Every success has resulted from dedicated embassy teams working alongside government institutions, the private sector and our international partners.
In Malaysia, we promoted cooperation that introduced innovative road construction technologies, strengthened urban planning initiatives and expanded scholarship opportunities for Ugandan students. In Türkiye, we deepened economic relations through partnerships in infrastructure, industrial development, technology transfer, agricultural mechanisation and higher education. Among the most rewarding aspects of my work has been strengthening consular services. Together with our partners, we facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 180 vulnerable Ugandans from Malaysia who had fallen victim to human trafficking and labour exploitation, while similar interventions were undertaken in Türkiye. These experiences reinforced my belief that diplomacy is about both advancing national interests and protecting the welfare of Ugandan citizens abroad. Today, our focus in Berlin is to advance Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy agenda by attracting investment, expanding trade, promoting tourism, strengthening educational partnerships and facilitating technology transfer. Throughout my career, I have remained convinced that diplomacy must deliver practical benefits that improve the lives of our people.
Q: Germany is one of Uganda’s leading partners in trade, investment, technology, renewable energy and vocational education. What strategic priorities guide your Mission under Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy agenda?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: Uganda’s Mission in Berlin is guided by the Government’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, which positions our diplomatic missions as catalysts for socio-economic transformation. We are grateful to the Government for prioritising this agenda and enabling missions abroad to actively engage investors, businesses and development partners. Our priorities include expanding Uganda’s exports to Germany and Europe, particularly value-added agricultural products such as coffee, while strengthening market linkages between Ugandan producers and German buyers. We are equally focused on attracting quality investment in manufacturing, agro-processing, renewable energy, technology and sustainable infrastructure. Through close collaboration with chambers of commerce, business associations and investors, we continue to position Uganda as a competitive investment destination.
Tourism promotion remains another key pillar, with Germany ranking among Uganda’s leading European source markets. The Mission actively connects tourism stakeholders while showcasing Uganda’s unique biodiversity, cultural heritage and investment opportunities. Human capital development is equally important. We continue to strengthen partnerships with universities, vocational institutions and research organisations to expand skills development, innovation and scientific collaboration. Ultimately, our success is measured by tangible outcomes: investment projects secured, trade opportunities created, technology partnerships established, educational exchanges facilitated and new markets opened for Ugandan businesses. Modern diplomacy must produce measurable development results.
Q: Given your strong background in agriculture, how can Uganda leverage its comparative advantages in agriculture, agro-industrialisation and climate-smart farming to attract German investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: Agriculture has shaped both my professional journey and my diplomatic priorities. Uganda enjoys significant comparative advantages, including fertile soils, favourable climate, abundant water resources and a youthful workforce. However, our greatest opportunity lies in value addition, agro-industrialisation and technology-driven production rather than exporting raw commodities. Germany’s expertise in engineering, manufacturing and agricultural innovation complements Uganda’s strengths. Our role is to connect Uganda’s natural resources with German investment, technology and technical expertise.
Building on partnerships established during my previous postings, we continue to promote agricultural mechanisation, dairy development, research collaboration and climate-smart farming. Working with institutions such as GIZ and German research organisations, we are expanding vocational training, sustainable agriculture and rural enterprise development. We also prioritise academic partnerships between Ugandan and German universities to strengthen research, innovation and technical capacity in agriculture and engineering. Through Economic and Commercial Diplomacy, our objective is to position Uganda as a reliable producer of high-quality, value-added agricultural products while attracting responsible investment, facilitating technology transfer and supporting national priorities under the Parish Development Model, the Agro-Industrialisation Programme and Vision 2040.
Q: Europe is undergoing significant geopolitical, economic and technological transformation, including the green transition, digital innovation and evolving security priorities. How should Uganda position itself to benefit from these changes while safeguarding its national interests and strengthening partnerships with Germany and the European Union?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: The evolving global landscape presents Uganda with important opportunities if we engage strategically. Rather than viewing global change as a challenge, we should position Uganda as a trusted partner in sustainable development, innovation, education and responsible investment. A key priority is investing in human capital. Through partnerships with institutions such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), our Mission has facilitated fully funded postgraduate scholarships for Ugandan students in disciplines including engineering, chemistry, epidemiology, environmental sciences and physics. These investments strengthen Uganda’s scientific capacity while preparing future leaders for national development.
We have also supported initiatives such as the Marengo programme, which has enabled more than 100 disadvantaged Ugandan students to pursue higher education in Germany. These partnerships demonstrate the transformative impact of educational diplomacy. Beyond education, Uganda should leverage Europe’s leadership in renewable energy, digital transformation and sustainable industrialisation by attracting investment, promoting research collaboration and facilitating technology transfer. These areas align closely with Uganda’s priorities in clean energy, manufacturing, climate resilience and digital innovation.
Economic and Commercial Diplomacy has provided the framework for advancing these partnerships. Our Mission works closely with governments, businesses, universities and development institutions to create opportunities that support Uganda’s industrialisation agenda while responding to emerging global priorities. At the same time, Uganda must continue pursuing a balanced, pragmatic foreign policy founded on mutual respect and shared interests. By strengthening education, innovation, regional integration and economic competitiveness, Uganda will be well placed to benefit from Europe’s transformation while contributing meaningfully to global development.
Q: Throughout your career in agriculture, local governance and diplomacy, what achievements give you the greatest sense of pride, what challenges have shaped your leadership, and what advice would you offer young Ugandans aspiring to public service and diplomacy?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: The greatest satisfaction in my career comes from initiatives that have improved people’s lives. Whether supporting farmers, strengthening local governance, promoting investment or protecting Ugandans abroad, my guiding principle has always been service to the nation. Among the most fulfilling achievements has been strengthening consular services. Working with colleagues and host governments, we successfully facilitated the repatriation of more than 180 vulnerable Ugandans from Malaysia who had been victims of human trafficking and labour exploitation, with similar interventions undertaken during my service in Türkiye. These experiences reinforced that diplomacy is as much about protecting citizens as it is about advancing national interests.
I also take pride in promoting investment, technology transfer, infrastructure development, vocational education and academic partnerships that continue to contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. Like any public servant, I have faced challenges, particularly resource constraints during the establishment of new diplomatic missions. These experiences taught me the importance of innovation, teamwork and prudent management. My advice to young Ugandans is to invest in education, uphold integrity, remain disciplined and embrace lifelong learning. Success is determined not by where you begin but by your commitment to excellence, humility and service. Leadership is built through competence, character and the ability to work effectively with others.
Q: Having witnessed Uganda’s political, economic and diplomatic transformation over several decades, how do you assess the country’s progress, and what priorities should guide Uganda’s future to ensure lasting peace, competitiveness and prosperity?
H.E. Ambassador Stephen Mubiru: Uganda has made remarkable progress in strengthening its international engagement, expanding regional integration and positioning diplomacy as a driver of national development. The shift towards Economic and Commercial Diplomacy is transforming our missions abroad into active platforms for promoting trade, investment, tourism, technology transfer and strategic partnerships. This approach is enhancing Uganda’s international profile while creating tangible opportunities for economic growth by connecting investors, businesses, academic institutions and development partners with Uganda’s priority sectors.
Regional integration through the East African Community, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area remains essential for expanding markets, strengthening regional value chains and enhancing Africa’s global competitiveness. Looking ahead, Uganda’s future success will depend on strong institutions, a professional public service and continued investment in human capital. Technical and vocational education, scientific research, innovation and digital skills will be critical to building a competitive economy. Uganda should also maintain a pragmatic, development-oriented foreign policy that expands investment, technology transfer, export markets and cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, food security, industrialisation and climate resilience. Ultimately, diplomacy must build enduring partnerships that deliver long-term national prosperity. By sustaining Economic and Commercial Diplomacy, strengthening institutions and investing in innovation and human capital, Uganda will remain peaceful, resilient and influential both within Africa and on the global stage.
