Kampala, Uganda: Government of Uganda has paid tribute to the outgoing Swedish Ambassador, Maria Håkansson, and the outgoing Tanzanian High Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli praising their contributions to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and development cooperation between Uganda and their respective countries.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo bid farewell to the two diplomats on Monday, describing their tenures as instrumental in deepening Uganda’s longstanding partnerships with Sweden and Tanzania.
“It was a pleasure to bid farewell to H.E. Maria Håkansson, Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, as she concluded her tenure,” Kasolo said.
“I commend Ambassador Håkansson for her dedicated service and steadfast commitment to strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Uganda and Sweden. Her efforts have advanced our shared interests and deepened the cordial relations between our two nations.”
The minister thanked Ambassador Håkansson for her distinguished diplomatic service and wished her success in her future assignments.
“I extend my sincere appreciation for her distinguished service and wish her every success in her future endeavours. May the enduring partnership between Uganda and Sweden continue to flourish for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he added.
Kasolo also paid glowing tribute to Tanzania’s outgoing High Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, commending his role in advancing cooperation between the two East African neighbours.
“I commend Ambassador Simuli for his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to strengthening the historic bonds of friendship, cooperation, and brotherhood between Uganda and Tanzania. His efforts have further advanced our shared aspirations and reinforced the excellent bilateral relations between our two sister nations.”
The minister added that Uganda looks forward to further strengthening ties with Tanzania for the continued prosperity of both countries and the wider East African region.
The farewell engagements coincided with separate courtesy calls by the two diplomats on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House. The President said he held discussions with the outgoing envoys on issues of mutual interest and the continued cooperation between Uganda and their respective countries.
“I met the outgoing High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania, Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, and the outgoing Ambassador of Sweden, Carina Maria Håkansson, who paid me farewell courtesy calls. We discussed matters of mutual interest and our continued cooperation. I thank them for their service and wish them good luck in their future endeavours,” Museveni said.
Longstanding Partnership with Uganda
Sweden has remained one of Uganda’s longstanding bilateral development partners, supporting programmes in democratic governance, human rights, education, health, climate resilience, private-sector development, and refugee response.
The two countries also maintain cooperation in trade, investment, research, innovation and environmental sustainability, with Sweden providing significant development assistance through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
On the other hand, Uganda and Tanzania continue to enjoy strong diplomatic and economic relations built on decades of regional cooperation through the East African Community (EAC).
The two countries collaborate on regional peace and security, cross-border trade, transport infrastructure, energy development and implementation of the East African integration agenda. Tanzania also serves as one of Uganda’s key trade and transit partners through the Central Corridor linking Uganda to the Port of Dar es Salaam.
The departure of Ambassador Håkansson and High Commissioner Simuli marks the end of their diplomatic assignments in Kampala, with both Uganda and their respective governments expected to appoint successors to continue advancing the longstanding bilateral partnerships.
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