Norway has officially closed its embassy in Uganda, ending a 19-year diplomatic tenure in the East African nation.

On Friday, the embassy’s official social media account announced the closure, sharing an image of the Norwegian flag being lowered for the last time. The post read, “It is with mixed emotions that we lower the Norwegian flag for the final time. The Embassy is now closed, but Norway remains engaged in Uganda.” The lowered flag was handed over to the Norwegian Ambassador to Uganda, Kristin Hermansen.

The Norwegian flag was first raised in Uganda in 2005, marking the beginning of nearly two decades of diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two countries.

In a farewell ceremony, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odongo Jeje Abubakher, highlighted the strong and productive partnership between Uganda and Norway over the years. He expressed Uganda’s gratitude for Norway’s contributions and reassured that the bilateral relations would continue to thrive despite the embassy’s closure.

Norway had previously announced the shutdown of five missions in 2022 as part of a broader strategy to streamline its diplomatic presence globally. The closure of the Ugandan embassy, which also managed diplomatic affairs with Rwanda and Burundi, was part of this strategic reorganization.

Despite the embassy’s closure, Norway will continue to support various projects in Uganda, including initiatives in education, health, agriculture, and refugee assistance. The longstanding relationship between the two nations is set to endure, with Norway maintaining its commitment to ongoing collaboration and development efforts in Uganda.