Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The Norwegian Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, and the Consulate General in Guangzhou, China, are set to close in 2024. In response to a rapidly evolving global landscape, Norway will redirect diplomatic staff from these missions to bolster selected other embassies.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt emphasized the need for diplomats in strategic locations to monitor global issues impacting Norway and advocate for Norwegian interests. The reshuffling of the Foreign Service’s resources is part of a broader initiative to optimize the organization, ensuring fewer but stronger foreign service missions align with Norway’s foreign and development policy priorities.
To enhance efforts in critical areas like food security, business development, and regional security in Africa, more diplomatic staff will be assigned to Norwegian Embassies in Accra, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa, and Nairobi. Additionally, the Embassy in Beirut will have a new diplomatic position dedicated to aiding Syria.
While recognizing the impact on affected employees, Minister Huitfeldt stressed the responsibility to allocate resources effectively and highlighted efforts to support impacted staff members. The closure of the Embassy in Kampala necessitates finding alternative solutions to uphold Norway’s diplomatic representation in Burundi and Rwanda.
Starting in 2024, the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing and the Consulate General in Shanghai will absorb responsibilities from the Consulate General in Guangzhou.
Notably, the closure of the Kampala Embassy will not disrupt Norwegian aid to Uganda, which received significant funding in 2022 for key areas like civil society, education, energy, refugees, and women’s rights. Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim assured continued investment in development cooperation with Uganda, emphasizing a sustained focus on human rights, especially those of women and minorities.
‘’Norway will continue to invest significantly in development cooperation with Uganda through its civil society partners and multilateral organisations,” the Minister noted.
”We will also maintain our engagement in promoting human rights in the country, particularly the rights of women and minorities,’’ she added.
Due to ongoing structural reforms of the Norwegian Foreign Service, the Norwegian Embassy in Kampala will close by the end of July 2024.
Read more:https://t.co/Uh2TOmMPCy— Norway in Uganda (@NorwayUganda) October 13, 2023
