Foreign Policy Promises

1 promises

Reset

My government will take deliberate measures to shift our foreign policy focus from Political Diplomacy to Economic Diplomacy, with focus on opening new markets for our products, attracting foreign direct investment to create jobs, and marketing Uganda’s tourism.
My government will prioritize the establishment of a Diplomatic Academy where our diplomats are trained in relevant skills before being posted to their respective duty stations. Our foreign service will cease to be a dumping ground for failed politicians but a profession of highly competent and skilled people who will serve the interest of all Ugandans.
My government will strengthen existing Missions and open new ones in capitals and other cities that are of strategic value for economic diplomacy and our diaspora. We will seek to expand Uganda’s reach to larger markets in South America and Asia.
My government will boost Uganda’s image abroad by developing existing properties that house our Missions in various capitals and acquire new properties in strategic locations and make credible symbols of Uganda’s beauty.
My government will incrementally extend voting rights to our diaspora to enable them to have a say on the governance of Uganda as much as they contribute through their remittances, skills and technology transfer.
Uganda’s Military Adventurism
I shall put an end to the current government’s tendency to engage Uganda’s military in unnecessary regional interventions. We have had a combative presence in Rwanda, DRC, Central African Republic, Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia. The facade that the motive is regional stability has been shuttered by the instances of cross border smuggling, and pillaging of natural resources in the DRC.

My government will implement a phased but steady withdrawal of our troops from foreign deployments where it is no longer necessary. Where troops have been deployed as mercenaries, they will be immediately recalled home for retraining and deployment in sectors like road and railway construction. The UPDF and other security forces will be trained in various skills to be more relevant to Uganda’s development in addition to providing security of our borders.
National security
I will roll back the infelicitous policy of reckless political adventurism and military interventionism. The UPDF will be professionalized as a People’s Army rather than a personal force that has severally been used as a mercenary force.

My government will promote peaceful co-existence with all our neighbors based on mutual trust, cultural links and trade interests. Given that we are not at war and do not intend to start one, we will prioritize strengthening our borders as the first line of defense against any possibility of external aggression.
Human Rights Commitment
I am committed to a more disciplined Police Force and the demilitarization of the Police Force.

I recognize that the current regime has made the harassment of members of the opposition an everyday occurrence. This has led to a culture of fear and intimidation that has stifled expectations of accountability from leaders and institutions. This will end. The nation’s commitment to press freedom will also, once again be upheld.
Refugees
For decades, Uganda has been home to millions of refugees mainly fleeing political unrest in their home countries. It is home to over 2.2 million refugees, with about 3,000 new arrivals per day. Uganda has had a hand, directly or indirectly, in causing and exacerbating these conflicts. Whereas Uganda will continue to be a good host of refugees from our sister countries, the open-door policy towards refugees will be reviewed by our government.

Uganda will cease to be a destabilizing factor for neighbouring countries. All military operations across the borders that are not in national interest will cease. Where necessary, we will only work with governments of neighbouring countries to promote peace and security in areas close to our borders. This peaceful environment will reduce the refugee crisis.

My government will develop a deliberate plan with governments of refugee’s home countries and international organizations to enable the return and resettlement of refugees in their home countries.

My government will halt the expansion of refugee camps in Uganda at the expense of Ugandan nationals. All land seized/grabbed by the current government to give way for refugees will be returned to its rightful occupants.