Ambassador West pledges to continue promoting ‘good’ UK-Uganda relations

The outgoing High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Uganda Peter G. West pledged to continue "promoting the good relations between the United Kingdom and Uganda", the public diplomacy department at the ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

Ambassador West made the remarks while meeting Oryem Henry Okello, the minister of state for foreign affairs in charge of international affairs, who had hosted a farewell luncheon in his honor on Wednesday.

Minister Oryem took time to hail the High Commissioner for the significant role he has played in promoting the excellent and cordial bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Uganda.

He also commended the UK government's long-term commitment to promoting and funding Uganda's development initiatives such as the recovery programs in Northern Uganda, improving maternal and reproductive health, driving growth through training, job creation, financial services and trade to mention but a few.

Ambassador West reiterated that UK AID funding would continue to support initiatives and the different development programs focusing on poverty reduction, financial accountability, climate change and respecting human rights.

The luncheon was attended by a representative of the diplomatic corps, Kerem Alp (Turkish Ambassador to Uganda), Ambassador Patrick Mugoya (Permanent Secretary MoFA), Ambassador Charles Ssentongo (Chief of Protocol and Marshall of Diplomatic Corps), Ambassador Paul Mukumbya (head of Regional Peace & Security), senior officials from the Ministry and staff at the UK High Commission in Kampala.

Ambassador Peter West was in September replaced by Kate Airey OBE.

West had been here since November 30, 2016, and, according to the UK government, he "will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service".

Airey, who will take up her appointment during December 2020, was transferred from Namibia where she had been since 2017.