Uganda to Establish Embassy in the Republic of Korea

Uganda is set to open a resident Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of Korea, as announced by Hon. Okello Oryem, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, during a bilateral meeting with Hon. Chung Byung-won, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Ministerial meeting of the first Korea-Africa Summit held in Seoul on June 2, 2024.

This development comes in the wake of the 7th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference in September 2023.

The Korea-Africa Summit, running from June 4-5, 2024, is themed “The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity.”

Leading Uganda's delegation is H.E. the Vice President, Jessica Alupo. The delegation includes notable figures such as the Minister of Finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija; the Minister of ICT, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi; the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Monica Jane Musenero Masanza; the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Musa Francis Ecweru; and the Minister of State for Gender, Labor, and Social Development in charge of employment and Industrial Relations, Hon. Davinia Esther Anyakun. Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Fred Opolot, is also part of the delegation.

In his address, Hon. Okello highlighted the agenda for the discussions, focusing on collaborative solutions for sustainable development.

Key topics include climate change, food security, supply chain stability, and health security.

“These issues are critical for Africa’s development, and we all look forward to seeing their effective implementation,” he stated.

Currently, there are ten existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Uganda and Korea.

During the summit, an additional two MoUs will be signed, including a Trade and Investment Promotion Framework Agreement and a Loan Financing Agreement.

These frameworks aim to provide Korean investors with predictability and stability, facilitating smoother cooperation and investment between the two nations.

Hon. Okello also mentioned an agreement to increase South Korea’s concessional loan commitment to Uganda from USD 34 million to USD 500 million for the period 2024-2028, along with the submission of bankable projects in infrastructure and energy for Korean funding consideration.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chung expressed gratitude to the Ugandan delegation for their participation and emphasized Korea’s view of Uganda as a valued and strategic partner.

“Korea is focusing on capacity building programs aimed at extending technology transfers, building required skills, enhancing manufacturing capacities for Uganda’s industrial growth and development, and sharing expertise and knowledge,” Chung said.

The summit will feature a series of conference sessions on diverse topics, including business, agriculture, ICT, forestry and desertification, vaccine and health security, tourism, and infrastructure.

A Business Summit on June 5 at Lotte Hotel Seoul will address industrialization, trade promotion, infrastructure enhancement, and job creation.

Uganda’s delegation will participate in several side events, including the Korea-Africa Tourism Forum, Korea-Africa Future Partnership Conference (KOICA), Korean-Africa Health Partnership, Korea-Africa Infrastructure Forum, Enhancing Vaccine Access and Health Security in Africa, the 10th Global ICT Leadership Forum, and the Korea Africa Youth Startup Forum.

In attendance at the bilateral foreign ministers meeting were Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan, also accredited to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Amb. Kaahwa Tophace, and Amb. Elly Kamahungye, Acting Director of Regional and International Economic Affairs.