KAMPALA, Uganda — Outgoing Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of regional cooperation John Mulimba has officially handed over office, drawing high praise from ministry leadership for driving regional trade and breaking down market barriers over the last five years.
The formal transition to the incoming minister, Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, took place Thursday during a ceremony presided over by Permanent Secretary Bagiire Vincent Waiswa at the ministry headquarters.
Bagiire hailed Mulimba for his distinguished service, noting that his tenure was defined by active engagement in Joint Permanent Commissions with Uganda’s key regional partners. These structured bilateral engagements proved central to economic diplomacy, opening up vital markets for Ugandan farmers, manufacturers and exporters.
This year alone, five JPCs have been concluded, and they work as a vehicle for opening up markets for Ugandan products, Bagiire said.
In his handover remarks, Mulimba expressed gratitude to the president for the opportunity to serve and commended the ministry’s technical team for its professionalism. He reflected on the unique nature of diplomatic assignments, noting that much of the ministry’s most vital work happens during closed-door negotiations that yield intangible but critical benefits for the country.
Mulimba also shared key insights with his successor, emphasizing that cultivating close, direct contacts with regional counterparts often resolves challenges far faster than waiting for formal meetings.
Taking over the portfolio, Kyeyune thanked his predecessor for the guidance and pledged to build on the established foundation. He committed to working closely with the technical team to defend Uganda’s foreign policy, accelerate regional integration and expand market access for local goods.
