Richard Tumusiime Kabonero, commonly known as Richard Kabonero, is a Ugandan civil servant and diplomat. He is the head of department of Regional Economic Cooperation, at the Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since June 2022.[3][4] Before that, he served as Uganda's High Commissioner to Tanzania.[5]
Richard Tumusiime Kabonero | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1963 (age 60–61) |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Occupation(s) | Civil Servant and diplomat |
| Years active | 1988 — present |
| Known for | Diplomacy |
| Title | His Excellency |
| Family | Constance Kabonero (mother)[1] Susan Muhwezi (sister) Bob Kabonero (brother) Jim Muhwezi (brother-in-law) Esteeri Kabonero (daughter)[2] |
Background and education
editHe was born in Ntungamo District, to Constance Kabonero, a midwife, and the late Kosia Kabonero, a veterinarian,[1] circa 1963.[6] His father died before Richard was born.[1]
Career
editKabonero started his career in 1988, working as a customs officer at Uganda Customs, the precursor to the Uganda Revenue Authority. Later, he was appointed as an Assistant Secretary, in the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[6]
In 1990, he was appointed as 3rd Secretary at Uganda's High Commission to Kenya, based in Nairobi. Later he served in Uganda's Embassy to the United States based in Washington, DC and was promoted to First Secretary, responsible for Economic, Congressional and Press Affairs.[6]
In 2006, he was appointed Uganda's High Commissioner to Rwanda, based in Kigali, serving in that capacity until 2017. While there, he is credited with the proper supervision of the construction of the Uganda Chancery, saving the government over USh400 million (approximately US$115,000) in annual rent expenses. During his tenure, bilateral trade between Rwanda and Uganda grew from US$50 million annually to US$200 every year.[6] Also, in 2006, only 200 Rwandan students were enrolled in Ugandan schools, compared to over 1,500 in 2016. Richard Kabonero is personally credited with the improvement of relations between Uganda and Rwanda, which were frayed during the Second Congo War.[6]
In January 2017, after 10 years in Kigali, he was transferred to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as the substantive High Commissioner.[7] He presented his credentials to John Magufuli, the president of Tanzania on 1 August 2017.[5] He also paid a courtesy visit to Ali Mohamed Shein, the president of Zanzibar on 19 October 2017.[8]
As Uganda's high commissioner to Tanzania, he was concurrently accredited to Mozambique. He presented his credentials to Filipe Nyusi, the head of state of the country on 17 May 2018.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Rumanzi, Perez (10 March 2013). "A pillar in her community". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ Paul Mugume (24 May 2017). "More than a Dream — Esteeri Kabonero Eyes a Renewable Energy Future". ChimpReports Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ The Independent Uganda (10 July 2024). "Kabonero: Uganda And Her Neighbors Must Always Be Prepared For Any Oil Spill". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Victoria Bagaaya (12 July 2024). "Uganda: Petroleum Authority Reassures On Steps to Mitigate Oil Spill" (via AllAfrica.com). Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b David Lumu (6 March 2022). "Ambassador Kabonero Leaves Enduring Legacy In Tanzania". The Observer. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Muhame, Giles (31 January 2017). "Looking Back at Ambassador Kabonero's Iconic, Lasting Legacy in Rwanda". Kampala: Chimp Reports Uganda. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ Bwire, Job (27 January 2017). "Museveni appoints Dr Kiyonga Uganda's ambassador to Beijing". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ Vision Reporter (19 October 2017). "Uganda, Zanzibar Talk Tourism". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ Uganda MOFA (17 May 2018). "Uganda: Amb. Richard Kabonero Presents Credentials in Mozambique" (Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Uganda). Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 July 2024.