Ugandan diaspora welcome Museveni resident ambassador to Vatican choice

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Ugandans in the diaspora have welcomed President Yoweri Museveni's decision to appoint Dr Anthony Ssembatya Kimbowa, a renowned researcher on Catholic Church issues and former seminarian, as the first Ugandan resident ambassador to the Vatican.

This is the first time that Uganda opens a full embassy in the Vatican, the seat of the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV. The development of the new Mission is expected to uplift diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

Special assistant on diaspora issues in the Office of the President, Florence Kiremerwa, in a statement released last week, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for recognising one of the Ugandans living abroad with a lot of knowledge about matters relating to the Catholic Church to head such an important position.

She said the diaspora community is pleased with this choice and that she is confident that Ssembatya will do a good job and improve Uganda’s relations, especially on matters of religious tourism.

Kiremerwa said while the Holy See has maintained full diplomatic relations with Uganda since 1965, including the presence of a resident Apostolic Nuncio based in Mbuya, Kampala city, for over 61 years, Uganda has maintained a non-resident embassy to the Vatican, accredited to the Uganda Embassy in Germany.

Papal Nuncio bidding farewell to Henry Okello Oryem in June last year

Pope Leo XIV reassigned Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda , Archbishop Luigi Bianco to Slovenia and Apostolic Delegate for Kosovo, effective May 2025.

On June 07, 2025, Bianco paid a farewell courtesy call to foreign affairs state minister (International Affairs), Henry Okello Oryem, as he concluded his diplomatic tour of duty in Uganda. He conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to President Museveni and the ministry for the immense support, hospitality and kindness extended to him during his tour since 2019. However, the Vatican is yet to appoint his replacement.

He expressed his deep gratitude for the special condolence message sent by the President on the passing of the late Pope Francis, and for delegating Vice-President Jesca Alupo to represent Uganda and sign the condolence book at the Apostolic Nunciature.

“Given the current dynamics and impact of the Catholic Church both in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa, and with the changing trends, Uganda, through its head of state, has decided to uplift its diplomatic relations with the Vatican by appointing its first resident Ambasaddor,” Kiremerwa said.

Kimbowa’s background

According to Kiremerwa, Kimbowa, 42, previously studied in Catholic seminaries in Uganda before relocating to Germany and Switzerland.

“He currently works for the Vatican on issues of child protection and Safeguarding, and brings along a commitment of social justice, economic empowerment for the African Church, the role of the family and the economy of Pope Francis, which places emphasis on the poor and marginalised within the Catholic Church”.

She explains that Kimbowa has and will continue to publish his research work widely on various topics.

She said he was born in Jinja and raised in Mbikko-Njeru. He speaks English, Luganda, Lusoga, German, French and Italian.