The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) has launched a Professorial Chair in Diplomacy and International Relations, marking a pivotal step toward offering a double Postgraduate Diploma in the field.
The launch was presided over by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, who used the platform to call on international relations students to read widely and deepen their understanding of global affairs.
A Professorial Chair is a distinguished academic position typically granted to a senior scholar recognised for their expertise in a specific field.
At UMI, the new chair will serve as a centre of excellence for research, teaching, and thought leadership in diplomacy and international relations, helping to shape Uganda’s strategic capacity in global affairs.
The initiative is a precursor to a fully-fledged Postgraduate Diploma programme in Diplomacy and International Relations, with hopes of scaling it up to Masters level in the near future.
The rollout for postgraduates is set for July 2025.
In his address, State Minister Oryem warned against Africa’s overreliance on former colonial powers and foreign governments for conflict resolution, labelling it a dangerous dependency.
“We must stop rushing to Qatar, France, or other external actors for solutions to African problems. These foreign entities have their own interests,” he said.
International relations experts, including Prof. Mwambutsya Ndebesa and Prof Sylvester Kugonza of UMI, echoed the minister’s sentiments.
They criticised both state and non-state actors for outsourcing diplomacy, especially in crises such as those in Sudan, the Congo, and with Al-Shabaab.
Prof Kugonza emphasized that building local capacity through education is key to reversing this trend.
“The Professorial Chair will enrich the curriculum and empower students to shape Africa’s diplomatic future,” he noted.
The dialogue called for a renaissance in African-led diplomacy, urging students to embrace Africa’s geopolitical complexities with intellectual rigour and homegrown solutions.