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Ireland’s newly appointed Ambassador to Uganda, Mags Gaynor, has officially taken up her role after presenting copies of her credentials to Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Jeje Odongo.

The ceremony, held today, August 13, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala, was marked by warm and cordial exchanges that highlighted the enduring friendship between the two nations. General Odongo welcomed Ambassador Gaynor, expressing confidence that her tenure would further deepen the Uganda–Ireland partnership, which has thrived for over three decades.

The Irish Embassy’s official X account confirmed the development, noting, “Ireland’s Ambassador-designate, Mags Gaynor, presented copies of credentials to Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Jeje Odongo, today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda. They warmly welcomed our new ambassador, & both spoke highly of the enduring friendship between Uganda & Ireland.”

Ambassador Gaynor succeeds Kevin Colgan, who served from 2021 to 2025 and oversaw significant growth in cooperation between the two countries, particularly in education, health, humanitarian aid, technology, and capacity building. Before her appointment, Gaynor was the Deputy Head of Mission and Cooperation at the Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania.

Since establishing diplomatic relations 31 years ago, Uganda and Ireland have worked closely to address pressing social and economic challenges. Ireland’s development assistance has been especially impactful in education, with strong investments in improving access, quality, and equity—most notably in the Karamoja region and refugee settlements.

In the health sector, Ireland has supported initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health, fighting HIV/AIDS, and expanding access to essential medical services in rural areas. Irish humanitarian aid has also played a crucial role in responding to refugee crises and supporting vulnerable communities in northern Uganda and Karamoja.

Beyond traditional development cooperation, the partnership has extended into technology and innovation, promoting digital skills and advancing projects that improve service delivery. Capacity-building programmes—particularly for teachers and public servants—have strengthened leadership and institutional resilience, with Vision Group spearheading impactful teacher-led initiatives.

With her arrival, Ambassador Gaynor is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations, with new opportunities on the horizon in trade, investment, and climate action, alongside continued collaboration in education, health, and humanitarian work.