*By John Kusolo
Jinja, Uganda –* Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, has made a compelling call to Ugandan Ambassadors attending their annual retreat at the Civil Service College in Jinja. He urged them to take on a more innovative role in branding and marketing Uganda, emphasizing the critical importance of their efforts in line with the country’s ambitious 10-fold growth strategy.
In his address, Ggoobi highlighted the essential tasks that these Ambassadors need to prioritize, which include attracting tourists, marketing Uganda's exports, and bringing in more investors. He underscored that the Ministry of Finance is fully committed to supporting Uganda's Missions Abroad by building the capacity of their staff and upgrading their infrastructure to ensure they can effectively deliver on these objectives.
*Support for Missions Abroad*
Ggoobi assured the Ambassadors that the Ministry is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of Uganda's diplomatic missions. This support will be manifested through targeted capacity-building initiatives for the staff and significant investments in infrastructure to ensure that these missions can operate at optimal levels.
However, he also issued a strong caution regarding the necessity for proper planning, budgeting, execution, and accountability in their roles. The success of Uganda’s diplomatic missions, he pointed out, hinges on meticulous and transparent management of resources.
*The 10-Fold Growth Strategy and Uganda's Economic Recovery*
The week-long retreat, themed “Strengthening Governance and Performance of the Foreign Service for National Development,” serves as a platform for the Ambassadors to align their efforts with the country's broader economic objectives. Ggoobi emphasized that Uganda's economy has shown a remarkable recovery, with GDP growth rebounding from 3% in FY 2019/20 to an impressive 6% in FY 2023/24. This recovery, he noted, is the result of sound macroeconomic management, favorable weather conditions, and improving global economic trends.
He elaborated on the broad-based nature of this growth, with all major sectors of the economy showing positive trends. The services sector expanded by 6.6%, the industrial sector by 5.8%, and agriculture by 5.1% in FY 2023/24. Ggoobi expressed optimism that, given the current trajectory, Uganda’s GDP growth is projected to reach 6.4% in the current fiscal year and potentially exceed 7% in the medium term. He also mentioned that under the 10-fold growth strategy, which includes the anticipated oil and gas production, GDP growth could surpass 10% in the initial years.
*Strategic Role of Ambassadors*
Ggoobi’s remarks underscore the strategic role that Ugandan Ambassadors play in driving the country’s economic development. Their efforts in branding Uganda as a prime destination for tourists, an emerging market for exports, and an attractive hub for investors are seen as pivotal in realizing the country's growth targets. The PSST’s call to action is a clear signal that Uganda's economic future is closely linked to the effectiveness and innovation of its foreign service.
The retreat, which brings together Uganda's top diplomats, is expected to yield actionable strategies that will enhance the country's global standing and contribute to sustained economic growth. With the Ministry's backing and a clear mandate from the Treasury, Uganda's Ambassadors are positioned to make significant strides in promoting national development on the international stage.
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