The State of Qatar is set to open a resident embassy in Kampala, signaling a major step in deepening its diplomatic and economic relations with Uganda.
The announcement was made during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Zwaidi, Ambassador-designate of Qatar to Uganda, presented copies of his letters of credence to John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs.
Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador-designate Al Zwaidi conveyed warm greetings from the Qatari government and expressed his country’s readiness to build stronger ties with Uganda.
“It is an honor to be appointed the first Resident Ambassador to Uganda,” he said, emphasizing Qatar’s commitment to closer cooperation.
Until now, Qatar’s mission to Uganda had been managed on a non-resident basis from Nairobi, Kenya, with multiple regional accreditations.
Mulimba welcomed the development, describing it as “a true testimony of our growing bilateral relations.”
He commended Qatar for its active engagement in Uganda’s economic development, citing the success of the 2nd Uganda–Qatar Business Forum held in October 2025 as a milestone in expanding trade and investment opportunities.
“Such initiatives are critical in translating diplomatic relations into concrete economic partnerships,” Mulimba noted.
Uganda already maintains a resident embassy in Doha, and the establishment of Qatar’s mission in Kampala is expected to enhance coordination and open new avenues for collaboration in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Mulimba highlighted that bilateral trade between the two countries has grown steadily over the past decade, with Uganda’s exports to Qatar rising from $20 million to $34 million, while Qatar’s exports to Uganda increased from $17 million to $26 million.
He expressed optimism for further growth, identifying priority areas for cooperation including agro-processing, tourism, manufacturing, minerals, oil and gas, and technology transfer in science and innovation.
The establishment of a Qatari embassy in Kampala is expected to accelerate these efforts, providing a formal platform for sustained engagement and a stronger, mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations.