Speaking at a retreat for the Regional Economic Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala on Wednesday, Ggoobi said economic diplomacy must become the central focus of Uganda’s foreign missions.
“Economic diplomacy is no longer a polite supplement to political duties; it is the frontline of Uganda’s economic transformation,” Ggoobi said.
The retreat, held under the theme “Setting the National Context: ECD in Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Agenda,” brought together diplomats and government officials to discuss the role of Uganda’s foreign missions in advancing the country’s economic agenda.
Ggoobi said diplomats must develop expertise in trade analytics, investment mobilisation and investor aftercare, arguing that the success of Uganda’s foreign policy should now be measured by tangible economic outcomes.
“Diplomats must master trade analytics, investment sourcing, and rapid-response investor aftercare. Foreign policy now carries an explicit economic mandate—one measured in dollars of investments secured, product volumes and value exported, number of tourists attracted and receipts brought into the country,” he said.
The Treasury chief also warned that government funding priorities will increasingly depend on the performance of ministries and missions abroad.
“Budget prioritization will directly follow verifiable performance,” Ggoobi said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire, welcomed the growing partnership between the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Finance in promoting Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy strategy.
Bagiire said the ministry would work closely with Uganda’s missions abroad to implement the country’s tenfold economic growth strategy through increased trade, investment and commercial engagement.