Preparations are in progress for the closure of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, at the end of July 2024. While the embassy will close its doors, development cooperation and engagement between Norway and Uganda will continue. Over the next few weeks, the embassy will highlight its major achievements and memorable moments.
Structural Reforms in Norwegian Foreign Service
In October 2023, Norway announced it was undergoing structural reforms of its foreign service. As part of this reform process, changes are being made to its diplomatic presence abroad. The aim is to concentrate and consolidate efforts to better serve Norwegian national interests and enhance the effectiveness of Norway’s international engagement. Consequently, while Norway is increasing its presence in some locations, it has to make difficult reductions in others.
Uganda has been a long-standing partner to Norway, and the bilateral relations between the two countries are highly valued. A statement on the embassy X account said Norway is committed to maintaining these strong ties despite the embassy closure.
Continued Development Cooperation
The Norwegian government emphasizes that development cooperation with Uganda will continue. Currently, a significant portion of aid is managed by the Norwegian development agency, Norad. Moving forward, future cooperation will be handled by Norad and another regional mission, which is yet to be determined. Support will also continue through Norwegian and international NGOs, the United Nations, and other multilateral channels.
| Organization | Role in Future Cooperation |
|---|---|
| Norad | Managing significant portion of development aid |
| Other Regional Mission | Handling future cooperation (yet to be determined) |
| NGOs and UN | Continuing support through multilateral channels |
Representation in Rwanda and Burundi
The Norwegian Embassy in Kampala also represents Norway in Rwanda. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on solutions to ensure Norway’s diplomatic representation in these countries is safeguarded.
Long-Standing Educational Support
Norway has been supporting the education sector in Uganda for decades. Norwegian universities have collaborated with various Ugandan universities, starting with Makerere University. Currently, through the NORHED II program, there are over 20 projects in areas such as health, information technology, gender studies, natural resource management, and food security.
The Outgoing Norwegian Ambassador has said while the closure of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kampala marks the end of an era, it also signifies the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Uganda and Norway. The commitment to development cooperation and strong bilateral ties remains steadfast, ensuring continued support and collaboration in various sectors.
