Hon. Adonia Ayebare formally assumed office as Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, taking charge of the Ministry at a time when economic and commercial diplomacy is increasingly being positioned as a key driver of the country’s development agenda. Hon. Ayebare took over office following his swearing in on 11 August 2026 at State House, Entebbe, where he subscribed to the Oaths of Allegiance and of Minister before President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. At a handover ceremony, the Minister received the instruments of office from Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, who was serv asing Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs since 22 June 2026.
Hon. Kasolo welcomed Hon. Ayebare and expressed confidence that his extensive diplomatic experience would strengthen the Ministry’s delivery of its mandate, particularly in advancing Uganda’s bilateral and multilateral relations, attracting foreign investment and expanding international markets for Ugandan products. Reflecting on his tenure, Hon. Kasolo highlighted the successful coordination of the repatriation of 1,030 Ugandans from South Africa following xenophobic threats and attacks against African nationals as one of the key interventions undertaken during his time as Acting Minister.
In his inaugural remarks, Hon. Ayebare commended Hon. Kasolo for ensuring continuity in the Ministry’s operations, including the management of bilateral relations, consular services and Uganda’s international obligations during the transition. Hon. Ayebare brings extensive diplomatic experience to the portfolio, having served as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York for nine years, from 2016 to 2025. During his tenure at the UN, he also played a central role in coordinating Uganda’s Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2024–2025.
Setting out his priorities, Hon. Ayebare placed Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) at the centre of the Ministry’s contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. He directed Uganda’s Missions Abroad to align their diplomatic and economic engagements with the ATMS Strategy Agro-industrialization, Tourism, Minerals including Oil and Gas, and Science, Technology and Innovation. The Minister said ECD would be instrumental in supporting Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy and the ambition of building a US$500 billion economy by 2040 through investment mobilization, value-added exports, market access and positioning Uganda as a competitive regional trade and logistics hub.
Ambassador John Leonard Mugerwa while representing the Permanent Secretary, welcomed the Minister and reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry’s staff to supporting his leadership and advancing Uganda’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests. Hon. Ayebare’s assumption of office marks a new phase for Uganda’s foreign policy implementation, with the Ministry expected to deepen diplomatic partnerships while leveraging international relations to support trade, investment and national development priorities.
Photo Credit: Denis Mulima
