Minister Ayebare Unveils Uganda’s Foreign Policy Priorities, Targets $500bn Economy

What the report says

Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare has set out a foreign policy agenda that links diplomacy more directly to the country’s economic goals, according to Nile Post. He told diplomats and representatives of international organisations in Kampala that Uganda wants a more strategic, results-oriented approach focused on investment, trade, technology, regional security and development financing.

The briefing, which took place at Mestil Hotel, was Ayebare’s first since taking office. He said foreign policy should support Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, under which the government aims to expand the economy to $500 billion by 2040. He identified investment promotion, export diversification, value addition and technology transfer as central to that effort. He also said public sector reforms, including the rationalisation of government bodies, are intended to reduce duplication, improve accountability and strengthen the investment climate.

Ayebare pointed to energy, oil and gas, and digital transformation as important enablers of industrialisation and job creation. He said the East African Crude Oil Pipeline is expected to be completed this year, after which Uganda would begin crude exports. He also urged development partners to align with the Parish Development Model, describing it as a key tool for raising household incomes and productivity at the grassroots.

The minister reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to peace and stability in regional bodies such as the East African Community, IGAD and the African Union, while also backing multilateralism, climate action and Africa’s push for more representation at the United Nations. A representative of the diplomatic corps welcomed the briefing as a useful step for improving coordination with Uganda’s foreign ministry.