The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda today hosted the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at its Headquarters in Kampala, where Uganda and UNODC signed a Host Country Agreement for the establishment of a UNODC Office in Uganda.
The Agreement was signed by Hon. Adonia Ayebare, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Ali Farouk Elbereir, UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, based in Nairobi. Mr. Elbereir congratulated the Minister upon his appointment and reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Uganda in combating transnational organised crime.
He noted that the Uganda Office is expected to be one of UNODC’s three largest offices globally, reflecting Uganda’s strategic importance and stability. The Office will focus on areas including wildlife trafficking, people smuggling, cybercrime, money laundering and anti-corruption.
The meeting also highlighted Uganda’s chairmanship of the Khartoum Process and opportunities to strengthen cooperation on migration, crime prevention and related regional challenges.
Hon. Ayebare welcomed the establishment of the Office, noting that it will strengthen institutions and support law enforcement agencies in preventing and dismantling criminal cartels and tackling money laundering. He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the partnership, stressing that “Uganda is a team” and that UNODC can count on Uganda’s support.
The Agreement establishes the UNODC Office in Kampala to support UNODC programmes and projects, strengthen regional initiatives and deepen collaboration between the Government of Uganda and UNODC.
