President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently bid farewell to Kate Airey, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Uganda. The farewell meeting took place at State House Entebbe on August 7, 2024.
During the meeting, President Museveni expressed his appreciation for Airey’s dedication and the positive impact she had on strengthening the relationship between Uganda and the United Kingdom. He commended her resilience and efforts during her tenure.
The President emphasized the need for the UK to develop a consistent and reliable source of information about Africa to enhance mutual understanding and foster stronger bilateral ties. He noted a general lack of knowledge among many European agencies regarding Africa’s culture and practices.
A statement from the Presidential Press Unit highlighted the significance of the meeting, underscoring the longstanding and respectful relationship between Uganda and the UK. The meeting reflected the strong diplomatic ties built over the years.
In her reflection on her four-year tenure in Uganda, Airey praised the country’s natural beauty and biodiversity. She described Uganda’s greenery as biologically unique and incredibly beautiful.
Airey also expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his support, particularly during the terrorist attack at Queen Elizabeth National Park. She appreciated the President’s guidance during that challenging time and mentioned that her time in Uganda had been an extraordinary journey. She conveyed that Uganda would always hold a special place in her heart.
Airey reiterated her commitment to further strengthening the relationship between the UK and Uganda. She expressed a desire to facilitate a government delegation visit to the UK to continue bilateral discussions with the incoming UK government.
As her tour of duty in Uganda comes to an end, Airey reflected on her legacy with pride and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the partnership between the two nations. She began her appointment in Uganda in December 2020, following her service in Namibia and replacing Peter West CMG upon his retirement. Before her role in Windhoek, Airey worked with UK high commissions in Nigeria, Freetown, and Rome.
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