KAMPALA, Uganda — Qatar has officially announced its decision to open a resident embassy in Uganda, marking a significant step in enhancing the two countries’ diplomatic and economic relations.
On Wednesday, Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Zwaidi, Qatar’s ambassador-designate to Uganda, presented his credentials to John Mulimba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for Regional Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala.
“It is an honor to be appointed as the first Resident Ambassador to Uganda,” said Ambassador Al Zwaidi, expressing gratitude and confirming that his government had decided to elevate their diplomatic presence in Uganda.
Previously, Qatar’s diplomatic mission to Uganda had been conducted on a non-resident basis from Nairobi. Uganda, however, has long had a resident embassy in Doha, Qatar’s capital.
Minister Mulimba welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “true testament to our growing bilateral relations.” He also congratulated Qatar on the successful conclusion of the second edition of the Uganda-Qatar Business Forum held in October 2025. Mulimba emphasized that such initiatives are crucial for turning diplomatic ties into tangible economic partnerships.
In recent years, Uganda’s exports to Qatar have grown significantly, from $20 million a decade ago to $34 million today, while Qatar’s exports to Uganda have increased from $17 million to $26 million. Mulimba expressed confidence that the opening of the Qatari embassy in Kampala would further boost trade volumes between the two nations.
He highlighted several key areas for future collaboration, including agro-processing, tourism, manufacturing, minerals, oil and gas, as well as the transfer of technology and innovation in science.
Ambassador Al Zwaidi confirmed that Qatar plans to sign several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) in these fields. He also pointed out the recent increase in the number of direct flights from Qatar to Uganda, with daily flights from Doha to Entebbe now running twice a day, up from one previously.
This increase is seen as a positive indication of the growing trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
