By Ben Musanje
In a stunning display of calm amidst the frenzy of pre-election politics, Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, turned heads at the Green Diplomacy Week reception on Thursday evening.
While many of his political peers have been ducking into constituencies to secure their seats for the upcoming 2026-2031 parliamentary elections, Oryem was the picture of cool composure, arriving solo and later joined by his wife, Mrs. Joyce Okello, at the European Union residence in Kololo.
Dressed casually in a dark green shirt and black trouser, Oryem appeared unfazed by the political storm brewing back home.
Instead, he mingled with guests, enjoying the lavish spread of snacks and drinks while exuding an air of tranquility, a stark contrast to the anxious hustling of many of his colleagues.
But it wasn’t just the calm demeanor of Uganda’s foreign minister that stole the spotlight.
The evening was more than a social gathering; it marked a significant moment in global climate diplomacy, with Uganda and the European Union reaffirming their shared commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary for Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, took the stage to deliver an impassioned speech that left no room for doubt: Uganda is taking its climate responsibilities seriously.
He spoke of ambitious goals, including Uganda’s pledge to cut emissions by 25% by 2030 and its deepening collaboration with the EU to build a resilient, circular economy. “Let’s move from words to reality,” Okidi urged, challenging the international community to make tangible commitments to combat the climate crisis.
H.E. Jan Sadek, the EU Ambassador to Uganda, wasn’t far behind in emphasizing the urgency of climate action.
With a nod to the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, Sadek declared the EU’s unwavering commitment to keeping the planet’s temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius, while doubling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
He stressed that green growth wasn’t just a possibility—it was a necessity, and Uganda was proving that with every step it took toward sustainable development.
“Green growth is not a contradiction,” Sadek asserted, referencing the EU’s multi-million-dollar initiatives supporting Uganda’s renewable energy sector, conservation programs, and green businesses.
From hydropower projects to solar mini-grids in rural communities, the partnership between Uganda and the EU is rapidly evolving into one of the most powerful forces in Africa’s fight against climate change.
But perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening came when Sadek honored the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, the late environmentalist, who had been an inspiration to both Uganda and the EU in their shared mission for climate action.
Her words echoed throughout the reception: “Every individual has a role to play.” It was a message that resonated deeply with the crowd, as the night served not just as a diplomatic event, but a rallying cry for global action.
In the end, what started as a relaxed evening with finger foods and green drinks transformed into a call to arms, with Uganda and the EU standing shoulder to shoulder in their commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
And as Minister Okello Oryem enjoyed the night in a corner of the room, the real action was unfolding on a global scale: the wheels of green diplomacy were turning faster than ever before, and the world was watching.(For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
