Sam Kutesa

In January 2005 the Hon. Sam Kutesa took office as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Sam Kutesa protects Uganda’s vital interests abroad and works to create an enabling environment for the promotion of trade, tourism, investment and other national needs and interests. Prior to his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa served as Minister of State for Investment in the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry since 2001. Prior to this appointment there, the Hon. Kutesa served as Attorney General in the Ugandan Ministry of Justice.

Under his able leadership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda has played an important role in promoting regional cooperation integration, peace and security in Eastern Africa and the extended neighborhood of the Great Lakes Region and Southern Africa. Uganda is now working together with its partners in the African Union to help stabilize the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, as part of AMISOM, the African Union’s peacekeeping force. The Minister has also pursued and expanded on its relationships with traditional allies such as the United States, as well as emerging powers such as India and China.

Sam Kutesa holds a law degree Bachelor of Law (LLB). He also holds the Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Center in Kampala. From 1973 until 2001 Sam Kutesa was in private law practice. He served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Mbarara North Constituency until 1985, and as a delegate to the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Mawogola County in 2001 and re-elected in 2006. He continues to serves as the current incumbent.

Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, September 2010