The government of Uganda on Saturday opened a diplomatic consulate in Kenya’s western coastal city of Mombasa to further facilitate its economic interests.
The fully fledged consulate seeks to meet the growing demand for services amid an increasing population of Ugandans doing business in Mombasa as well as locals and international community in Kenya.
Initially, consular services were accessed at the Uganda High Commission in the capital Nairobi which was the only representation Uganda had in Kenya. It was however rather inconveniencing for people in distant locations.
In an interview with ChimpReports on Monday, Margaret Kafeero the Head Public Diplomacy at Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the consulate will reduce the burden for those who intend to; acquire VISAs, passports and other travel documents, get citizenship in Uganda, settle disputes, access international trade protocols and any other information regarding Uganda.
Saturday’s formal opening was presided over by Hon. Philemon Mateke, Minister of State for Regional Cooperation in a colorful ceremony that showcased Uganda’s culture and tradition.
“The size of the Ugandan business population in Mombasa has increased along with economic developments within the East African Community. This therefore demanded that we have a government office in Mombasa to offer assistance because personal proximity is very critical,” Kafeero told ChimpReports.
“The single market protocol of the EAC and other integrated trade policies have led to an influx on the port of Mombasa. Uganda’s imports and exports will also increase which implies that the stakes are much higher for us. Nobody else will take care of our interests if not us,” she further elaborated on the significance of consular services in Mombasa.
Mr. Phillip Tayebwa Katureebe has been appointed as the Consul General in the permanent office which will be fully staffed by the Uganda government.
Katureebe, a career foreign service officer has previously served as Counsellor in India, Protocol Officer at State House and in Washington among other positions.
Earlier last week, Katureebe presented his letters of credence, appointing him Consul-General of the Republic of Uganda in the Republic of Kenya, to Dr Amina Mohamad Foreign Minister of Kenya.
Currently, Uganda has a total of 43 consular and diplomatic representations across the world with a diplomatic mission in all the EAC member states.