President Museveni today formally received credentials from three newly appointed ambassadors-designate to Uganda, reinforcing Uganda’s commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation with Ireland, France, and Thailand.
The ceremony was held at State House Entebbe and attended by senior government officials including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeje Odong Abubakhar.
The incoming ambassadors are Margaret Gaynor of Ireland, Virginie Leroy of France, and Morakot Janemathukorn of Thailand. Discussions with each envoy focused on strengthening partnerships in education, trade, security, infrastructure, and socio-economic transformation.
During his meeting with Margaret Gaynor, Ambassador-designate of Ireland, President Museveni underscored the importance of women’s empowerment and girl-child education as essential pillars for national development.
“FGM is bad biology, but it is fading away. We are expanding girl-child education and women empowerment programmes. Previously, women were excluded and reduced to housewives and dependents. When the husband died, the family would depend on the eldest son. This is going to stop,” the President said.
He also reiterated Uganda’s socio-economic transformation strategy built on four key sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
Margaret Gaynor, who succeeds Kevin Colgan, brings extensive experience from her previous role as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania. She was accompanied by her spouse, Jean-Louis Brudey, and a delegation including Jill Clements (Deputy Head of Mission), Caoimhe O’Hagan (Second Secretary), and Peter Michael Oumo (Economic Adviser).
Ireland and Uganda share over 30 years of diplomatic relations, with Ireland playing a crucial role in supporting Uganda’s education sector, particularly in promoting equity and access.
President Museveni also received credentials from Virginie Leroy, France’s Ambassador-designate, who previously served in Uganda between 2014 and 2019. He expressed appreciation for France’s continued support in infrastructure development and military training initiatives, notably in mountain warfare for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“I not only want infrastructure, but also support in wealth creation,” Museveni said.
Ambassador Leroy expressed her enthusiasm at returning to Uganda, describing it as a pleasure to reconnect with both the people and the progress made in bilateral cooperation.
She was joined by Janyce Obrecht (Deputy Head of Mission), Sebastien Berger (Defence Attaché), Gregory Sidrack (Head of Economic Service), and Marc Trouyet (Country Director of the French Development Agency – AFD).
In his engagement with Thailand’s Ambassador-designate, Morakot Janemathukorn, President Museveni explored opportunities for stronger diplomatic and economic relations between Uganda and Thailand. Key focus areas included trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The Thai delegation included Thitiwoot Techapun (First Secretary), Uganda’s Honorary Consul Barbra Mulwana, and Andrew Orwenyo Mokua (Administrative Assistant).
The formal credentialing of the three ambassadors marks a renewed chapter in Uganda’s international diplomacy, as the country continues to strengthen global partnerships aligned with its development goals.
