Celebrating 25 Years of the African Union-European Union Partnership in Uganda
In collaboration with the Uganda Council on Foreign Relations the EU Delegation to Uganda hosted in Kampala, Uganda's capital, a public diplomacy dialogue and panel discussion on “Renewing the AU-EU Partnership: Shared Prosperity, Peace, and People", to spotlight the 7th African Union–European Union Summit, in Luanda, Angola from 24-25 November 2025.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
The event brought together representatives from government, civil society, academia, youth networks, private sector, and the diplomatic community for a forward-looking conversation on the future of the AU–EU partnership. Various diplomats attended the event including envoys from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Algeria, Somalia, Egypt, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, Norway, and China among others.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
Panel 1 on Peace and Security featured our Deputy Ambassador Guilluame Chartrain, Dr Jude Kagoro, Ugandan sociologist and academic, and Ambassador (retired) Mull Katende, veteran Ugandan diplomat and lawyer. Together, they explored the evolution of the African peace and security architecture, including how the EU can contribute to support African-led conflict prevention and response mechanisms, from early warning to mediation and peace support operations.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
Mr Chartrain spoke to good detail about the blocs' partnership on peace and security, noting that the AU-EU partnership, now anchored on prosperity and stability, is exemplified by Uganda's consistent demonstration and willingness to be a unifier in the Great Lakes Region.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
Panel 2 on Social and Economic Development featured EU Head of Cooperation Karolina Hedstrom, Dr Brian Isabirye Commissioner, Renewable at the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development, and Mr Samuel Omwa, a Development Management Specialist at the National Planning Authority. Their conversation debated how to translate political commitments into mutual economic opportunities, and explored how the EU's #GlobalGateway can accelerate green and digital transitions in Uganda and the African continent.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
EU Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Jan Sadek spoke at the #AUEU25 public diplomacy dialogue and noted Uganda offers an ideal window to reflect on where Africa and Europe stand, what ambitions we want to shape together as two continents bound by geography, by history, and by interdependence.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
Ambassador John Mugerwa, Head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered remarks on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Hon. Vincent Bagiire. He highlighted the growing volume of EU–Africa trade and investment, noting that Uganda–EU trade currently stands at over €2 billion, with Uganda’s exports such as fish, coffee, and other agricultural products steadily increasing. Ambassador Mugerwa said future investments should build African capacity rather than dependency, calling for infrastructure that connects regional markets and trade frameworks that make African products more competitive globally.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
After the #AUEU25 panel discussions, guests gathered at the EU Residence in Kampala to continue, in a more informal setting, conversations on the strategic importance of the African Union-European Union partnership ahead of the 7th Summit in Luanda, Angola.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
Ambassador Sadek noted that Uganda's voice was very present at the #AUEU25 dialogue, pointing out that the country has played a consistent role in regional peace and security, mediation efforts, and economic integration, as a partner increasingly engaged in green and digital transitions shaping Africa’s future.
European Union Delegation to Uganda
