As the sun rose over the northern horizon, Professor Ladaah Openjuru walked through the gates of Gulu University, reflecting on the journey that had brought the university to this historic moment.
Earlier that morning, a young student had paused him, eyes wide with curiosity and hope, asking, Sir, will our university ever host something that changes the country today, the answer was clear.
Gulu University was alive with the buzz of diplomats from across the globe, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Annual Ambassadors Conference kicked off.
For the first time, the university hosted over seventy ambassadors, heads of missions, and senior diplomats, all gathering to strengthen Uganda’s foreign policy and align it with national development goals.
The five-day conference, themed “Strengthening the Foreign Service’s Contribution to National Development,” provided a platform for reviewing the performance of Uganda’s diplomatic missions and exploring innovative strategies to advance economic, trade, and investment opportunities.
In his welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor expressed pride in the university’s selection as host and highlighted its contributions to research, education, and community engagement.
He urged the diplomats to leverage this gathering as an opportunity to create partnerships that would extend Uganda’s influence globally.
Throughout the conference, discussions focused on aligning diplomacy with national priorities. Permanent Secretary Vincent Waiswa Bagiire emphasized the importance of economic and commercial diplomacy, urging ambassadors to contribute directly to Uganda’s development agenda.
Meanwhile, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Henry Okello Oryem, commended diplomats for their dedication under challenging conditions and challenged them to ensure tangible impacts from Uganda’s international engagements.
Keynote speaker General Caleb Akandwanaho, known as Salim Saleh, underscored the role of ambassadors in promoting Uganda’s successful economic initiatives abroad.
He encouraged diplomats to market Uganda’s programs to attract investment and development partnerships, stressing that the biggest challenge is not strategy, but execution.
Foreign Affairs Minister General Jeje Odongo addressed global challenges, including terrorism, fluctuating international aid, and trade barriers.
He called upon ambassadors to deepen their understanding of Uganda’s domestic economic policies and leverage them in global diplomacy.
As the conference continues, the hope is that this historic gathering at Gulu University will strengthen Uganda’s diplomatic service, enhance global partnerships, and ensure that foreign missions contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
For the student who had asked that morning, the answer was no longer just a dream—it was unfolding in real time, proving that institutions like Gulu University can indeed shape the country’s future.
