President Museveni has commended Ireland’s enduring partnership with Uganda as he officially bid farewell to the outgoing Irish Ambassador, Kevin Colgan, at a meeting held at State House Entebbe.
President Museveni thanked Ambassador Colgan for his diplomatic service and his role in strengthening bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
“I am very happy to meet you and thank you for your good service. I wish you good luck in your next posting,” the President said.
Ambassador Colgan, who previously served in Uganda in the late 1990s, returned in 2020 for a second tour as ambassador. Over the past four years, he has overseen Ireland’s development cooperation in areas such as education, health, and regional integration.
During their discussions, President Museveni emphasized the importance of fair and inclusive trade as a foundation for sustainable prosperity.
“You cannot trade effectively with poor people—they need purchasing power. It’s in our interest that Africa rises, so we all benefit from trade,” he noted, arguing that global prosperity should be a shared objective.
The President also lauded Ireland’s constructive engagement in global affairs, free from colonial legacy, and called for deeper dialogue between Africa and the West.
“There is no need for unnecessary conflicts. We should be talking,” he said.
Museveni also reflected on Africa’s liberation history, identifying himself as part of the “third generation” of freedom fighters and lamenting missed industrialization opportunities due to global economic advice.
“When I wanted to build a steel factory, I was told not to—yet now, the demand for steel has skyrocketed. That’s how prosperity benefits everyone,” he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Colgan expressed admiration for Uganda’s transformation since his first posting, noting significant progress in infrastructure, health, and education.
“When I came in the 1990s, the country was grappling with HIV/AIDS and other challenges. Today, Kampala is nearly unrecognizable,” he said.
He praised President Museveni’s leadership on regional integration and Pan-Africanism.
“Like the EU, which hasn’t experienced war among its members, Africa can thrive by removing artificial barriers to growth,” he said.
Colgan reaffirmed Ireland’s ongoing support to Uganda, especially in education and Karamoja, citing increased development funding as a sign of confidence in the country’s progress.
He also recalled a personal highlight—speaking at an education event in Lugogo in 2022 alongside President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni.
“I was touched by your passionate vision for Universal Primary and Secondary Education,” he said.
As a parting gesture, Ambassador Colgan lauded one of Uganda’s most famous exports:
“I hope my family and I can find Ugandan coffee where we are going—it’s the best,” he said.
Ambassador Colgan will now take up his next diplomatic assignment in Serbia.
