The Norwegian Embassy in Kampala, established in 1994, officially closed its doors on Friday 26th July with a symbolic flag-lowering ceremony marking the end of its physical presence in Uganda.
In a statement, the Embassy expressed mixed feelings about the closure but affirmed that Norway would remain engaged with Kampala. Despite the embassy’s closure, Norway’s commitment to Uganda continues.
Oslo had announced on October 13, 2023, its plans to close the Kampala embassy as part of a broader reform of its diplomatic network, involving an increase in some areas and a decrease in others. The decision to shut the Kampala embassy stemmed from administrative evaluations aimed at reallocating resources within the foreign service.
Norway has a long-standing partnership with Uganda and highly values their excellent bilateral relations. The closure of the embassy does not signify an end to this relationship, as future cooperation will be managed by the Norwegian development agency, Norad, and another regional mission that has yet to be determined.
Furthermore, Norway assured that support through Norwegian and international NGOs, as well as the UN and other multilateral channels, would persist. The Norwegian Embassy in Kampala also served as the representative for Norway in Rwanda and Burundi.
This closure is part of a broader decision by Oslo, which also involved the shutdown of five other Norwegian missions in July 2023.
Impact of the Change on Norway and Uganda
The closure of the Norwegian Embassy in Kampala will significantly impact both Norway and Uganda. For Norway, this move represents a strategic reallocation of diplomatic resources, allowing it to strengthen its presence in other critical areas. However, it also means a reduction in its direct diplomatic influence and presence in Uganda and the East African region.
For Uganda, the closure could mean a shift in how it interacts with Norway, relying more on regional missions and multilateral channels for engagement.
While Norad and other agencies will continue to facilitate development cooperation, the direct diplomatic ties and ease of bilateral discussions may be affected. The decision could also impact Norway’s diplomatic roles in Rwanda and Burundi, which were managed through the Kampala embassy, potentially requiring new arrangements to maintain these relationships.
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