Kampala, Uganda – Sixty years after Uganda and the Holy See established diplomatic relations, the relationship continues to demonstrate how diplomacy can extend beyond traditional political engagement into peace building, education, healthcare, social assistance and interfaith cooperation.
The milestone was highlighted in Kampala when Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs, received His Excellency Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, who presented his Letters of Credence.
The engagement comes at a significant moment for both sides. The Holy See appointed Archbishop Grysa as Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda in May 2026, following his previous diplomatic assignments in Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius. For Uganda, the relationship with the Holy See is particularly relevant because religious institutions have a longstanding presence in the country’s social and development landscape. Catholic institutions operate across education, healthcare, social services and humanitarian assistance, creating channels through which diplomatic relations acquire practical meaning at community level.
Minister Kasolo underscored Uganda’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and the contribution of religious leaders to peace, tolerance and social harmony. Archbishop Grysa, in turn, expressed the Holy See’s readiness to strengthen cooperation in promoting peace and social cohesion.
The wider diplomatic significance of the Holy See also gives the relationship an international dimension. As of January 2026, the Holy See maintained diplomatic relations with 184 states, in addition to the European Union and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This extensive diplomatic network makes the Holy See an important interlocutor in international dialogue, particularly on peace, human dignity, humanitarian concerns, education and interreligious understanding.
Uganda’s relationship with the Holy See is also rooted in a deeper historical connection. The Catholic Church has played a significant role in the development of Uganda’s education and health systems, while the Uganda Martyrs remain an important element of the country’s religious and cultural heritage. The next chapter of the relationship therefore offers opportunities to connect the symbolism of six decades of diplomatic relations with practical cooperation. Education, healthcare, social protection, youth development, cultural exchanges and peacebuilding remain areas where government and faith-based institutions can work alongside one another.
The Kampala meeting demonstrated that diplomatic anniversaries are not simply occasions to look backwards. They can also provide a framework for identifying new areas of cooperation and renewing partnerships around shared interests. For Uganda and the Holy See, six decades of relations provide precisely such a foundation: a diplomatic relationship anchored in dialogue, but with its impact extending into communities, institutions and the everyday lives of citizens.
