The UK government has appointed Lisa Chesney MBE as its new High Commissioner to Uganda.
Ms Chesney replaces Kate Airey OBE – to be transferred to another diplomatic service – who oversaw the recent sanctions imposed on Speaker Anite Among and two former ministers.
While the dotted lines beneath the decision for the changes might be directly connected to the sanctions since there has been a total change in UK government from Conservatives to the Labour Party, Ms Airey’s stay in Uganda’s diplomacy will be largely remembered for the sanctions.
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“Ms Lisa Chesney MBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda in succession to Ms Kate Airey OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Chesney will take up her appointment in October 2024,” the UK foreign secretary said in a statement.
Commenting on her appointment, Chesney said, “I’m proud to be appointed as the next British High Commissioner. When Kate Airey finally moves on, I know she will leave a great legacy.
“Very much looking forward to join the excellent British High Commission in Uganda team in October!”
In April, the UK government sanctioned Speaker Among over corruption related to the theft of iron sheets meant for vulnerable Karamojong.
The UK insisted Ms Among had a house in London, an allegation that riled President Museveni, who ordered a probe and asked the UK to explain with evidence.
Ms Among has maintained the sanctions are politically motivated over the Anti-Homosexuality Act passed under her watch and that she owns no house in London.
Also sanctioned were former Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, both facing criminal charges in court.
Chesney’s bio
Chesney has been serving as the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone since August 2021.
She has most recently served in London in the Home Office as Gold Command for the Crime, Policing and Fire Group’s response to and recovery from COVID-19.
In 2018, Chesney led the UK’s Counter-Extremism Unit.
Security and Defence has been a theme throughout Chesney’s career, she has worked with a range of countries, multilateral partners and government departments on this agenda.
In the FCO, she served as Deputy Head Security Policy, leading on strategic security issues and delivery of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
She has also headed the Prevent Team within the Counter-Terrorism Department. She has previously been posted to Mogadishu, as Deputy Head of Mission, re-establishing a UK embassy in Somalia and to Helmand Province, as UK Head of Politics and Strategic Communications in the Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Ms Chesney has also held corporate services leadership and change management roles.
She worked internationally in marketing in the private sector prior to joining the diplomatic service.
Ms Chesney studied at St Andrews University and the Institute of Management Development. She received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list in 2014.
