Uganda–United Kingdom relations explained

Envoy1:	Kate Airey
Envoytitle2:	High Commissioner
Mission1:	British High Commission, Kampala
Mission2:	High Commission of Uganda, London

Uganda–United Kingdom relations refer to bilateral relations between Uganda and the United Kingdom. Uganda has a high commission in London and the United Kingdom has a high commission in Kampala. For 2022/2023, UK's aid budget to Uganda was listed at £32.8 million.^[1]

FCDO lists its priorities in Uganda to be:

• To maintain and develop the political relationship between the countries and provide advice and guidance on governance issues.
• Through UK Department for International Trade, providing assistance to both British and Ugandan businesses.
• Provide consular support to British nationals living and working in Uganda.^[2]

It also lists that the top priorities for aid projects in the country include:

• Promoting good governance and combating corruption.
• Improving maternal and reproductive health.
• Supporting economic development and growth including youth skills and job creation.
• Increasing access to financial services and regional trade.
• Protecting the poorest and most vulnerable.^[3]

Citizens overseas

In 1972, around 27,000 Ugandan Asians were permitted to move to the UK through the Uganda Resettlement Board^[4] following being expelled from the country by President Idi Amin.^[5]

The Office for National Statistics estimates that in 2014, 51,000 people born in Uganda were resident in the UK.

An estimated 3,000 UK nationals live and work in Uganda.^[6]

High level visits

Prominent British figures have visited Uganda, including:

• Lord Bach, as Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (August 2005).
• Hilary Benn, as Secretary of State for International Development (April 2005 and May 2006).
• Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (November 2007).^[7]
• Gordon Brown, as Prime Minister, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (November 2007).
• David Miliband, as Foreign Secretary, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (November 2007).
• Ivan Lewis, as Under Secretary of State for International Development (February 2009).^[8]
• Boris Johnson, as Foreign Secretary (March 2017). ^[9]
• Vicky Ford, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean (January 2022).^[10]

Ugandan Government Ministers have also visited the UK:

• Yoweri Museveni, as President (March 2008 and March 2009).
• Sam Kutesa, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, (September 2007, March 2008, March 2009 and April 2018 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting).
• Amama Mbabazi, as Minister of Security (September 2008).

See also

• List of high commissioners of the United Kingdom to Uganda

Notes and References

1. Web site: DevTracker Country Uganda Summary Page .
2. Web site: British High Commission Kampala - GOV.UK . 2024-08-15 . www.gov.uk . en.
3. https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/countries/UG Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.remov
4. Web site: Commonwealth Immigration control and legislation . The Cabinet Papers 1915-1988 . National Archives . 22 April 2016.
5. News: 1972: Expelled Ugandans arrive in UK . On This Day . BBC News . 22 April 2016. 1972-09-18 .
6. Web site: Uganda's Relations with the UK .
7. News: Thousands welcome the Queen to Uganda . Reuters . 21 November 2007 .
8. Web site: In this together . . 19 March 2009 .
9. Web site: Foreign Secretary visits Uganda .
10. Web site: Minister for Africa visits East Africa to tackle regional challenges and deepen economic ties .