Qatar to open embassy in Kampala, signals stronger Uganda ties

KAMPALA, Uganda — The State of Qatar will open a resident embassy in Kampala, a decision that formally signals a stronger diplomatic and economic relationship with Uganda.

Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Zwaidi, the ambassador-designate of Qatar, presented copies of his credentials to Minister of State of Foreign Affairs for Regional Affairs John Mulimba on Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Al Zwaidi delivered warm greetings and formally announced his government’s decision to elevate the diplomatic mission. “It is an honor to be appointed the first Resident Ambassador to Uganda,” he said.

While Uganda already maintains a resident embassy in Qatar, the Qatari Embassy to Uganda had previously operated on a non-resident basis from Nairobi.

Mulimba welcomed the upgrade, calling it “a true testimony of our growing bilateral relations.” He congratulated Qatar on the recently concluded 2nd Edition of the Uganda-Qatar Business Forum in October 2025, which he said was necessary to translate diplomatic relations into tangible economic partnerships.

Trade between the two nations has grown steadily over the last decade. Uganda’s exports to Qatar increased from $20 million to $34 million, while Qatar’s exports to Uganda rose from $17 million to $26 million. Mulimba expressed optimism that the presence of resident ambassadors in both countries would see trade volumes multiply further.

He identified agro-processing, tourism, manufacturing, minerals, oil and gas, and technological transfer in science and innovation as key areas for strengthened collaboration.

Al Zwaidi confirmed that the Qatari government intends to sign several memoranda of understanding in these fields, as well as in diplomatic consultations. He also pointed to the recent increase of daily direct flights from Qatar to Entebbe from one to two as evidence that trade and the movement of people between the two countries have improved.