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Kampala, Uganda | The Independent | Ambassador Adonia Ayebare has formally assumed office as minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda. This follows his swearing-in ceremony held 11th August 2026, at State House, Entebbe, where he subscribed to the Oaths of Allegiance and of Minister before President Yoweri Museveni.
At a handover at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ayebare received the instruments of office from Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, who served as acting minister of foreign affairs since 22nd June 2026.
In his remarks, Kasolo welcomed the Minister and noted the vast experience he brings to the Ministry. He expressed confidence that with this experience and energy, the Ministry will perform better and deliver results in fulfilling its core mandate, including promoting bilateral and multilateral relations, attracting foreign investors to Uganda, and securing markets for Ugandan products.
Kasolo cited one of his key achievements during his tenure as acting minister being the coordination of the repatriation of 1,030 Ugandans from South Africa following xenophobic threats and attacks against African nationals.
In his inaugural remarks, Ambassador Ayebare thanked Kasolo for holding fort during the past few weeks and commended him for ensuring continuity in bilateral relations, consular services, and the implementation of Uganda’s international obligations during the transition. Senior officials and heads of department were in full attendance, following closely as the minister set out priorities for the portfolio.
Ambassador Ayebare returns to Kampala after a distinguished nine-year tenure as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, 2016–2025. In that capacity he represented Uganda across the UN system and coordinated Uganda’s multilateral engagements.
During Uganda’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, 2024–2025, Ambassador Ayebare played a central coordinating role from New York. He steered NAM’s engagement at the United Nations, mobilised consensus positions on multilateral reform, sustainable development, and peace and security, and ensured alignment between Kampala and NAM member states during the 19th NAM Summit hosted by Uganda in January 2024.
The minister anchored the Ministry’s work in Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) as the foremost instrument for national transformation. He directed that all Uganda Missions Abroad be realigned to drive the ATMS Strategy — Agro-industrialization, Tourism, Minerals including Oil and Gas, and Science, Technology and Innovation.
ECD, he noted, will be the ministry’s primary contribution to the national tenfold growth strategy to expand Uganda’s economy to USD 500 Billion by 2040. Missions will be assigned explicit commercial mandates to attract strategic investment, promote value-added exports, secure market access, and project Uganda as a competitive trade and logistics hub in the region.
Ambassador John Leonard Mugerwa, representing the Permanent Secretary, welcomed Amb. Ayebare and affirmed the Ministry staff’s readiness to support the Minister in steering the Ministry to greater heights. He highlighted some of the key achievements recorded in recent years, including the acquisition and renovation of Uganda’s Missions abroad, and the expansion of the Ministry’s reach in advancing Economic and Commercial Diplomacy.
