Victoria University recently had the honor of hosting Her Excellency Ambassador Robie Kakonge, Uganda’s envoy to Washington D.C., during a visit focused on strengthening educational ties and fostering international collaboration.

During her welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Mugaga, introduced the ambassador with heartfelt enthusiasm: “So, I want to introduce you to our ambassador to the United States. And when I say ‘our,’ I mean Uganda’s ambassador — your ambassador — Ambassador Robie Kakonge, who represents us all in the United States.”

In her address to students and faculty, Ambassador Kakonge underscored her role not only as Uganda’s representative in Washington D.C. but also as a voice for the broader East African community. “If you're from East Africa,” she said, “I represent you too, along with my fellow ambassadors. The passport I carry says ‘East Africa,’ and then it says ‘Uganda.’”

Her visit focused on empowering young scholars and academic institutions to take an active role in building global partnerships. She challenged Victoria University to be a pioneer in forging such alliances, particularly through signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to support educational and technological exchanges throughout Uganda and the wider East African region.“I’m going to put you to the test — baptism by fire,” she said. “Can Victoria University take the lead? Can it champion MOUs not just for Uganda, but for the region as a whole?”

Ambassador Kakonge assured the university of her full support, emphasizing the Ugandan Embassy’s commitment to partnering with proactive institutions.“The Embassy will be with you. I will be with you, step by step,” she affirmed, signaling her readiness to collaborate closely with Victoria University and other institutions aligned with Uganda’s national development priorities.

She also highlighted Uganda’s key international focus areas, collectively referred to as the “ATMs”: Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Mineral Development (including oil and gas), and Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). She urged higher education institutions to play a leading role, especially in advancing science and technology.

Ambassador Kakonge’s visit marks a pivotal moment in enhancing educational diplomacy and opening new avenues for global academic partnerships. With Victoria University poised to lead, the groundwork is being laid for impactful collaborations that reflect Uganda’s rising influence on the international stage.