Uganda’s diplomatic community is in mourning following the death of Santa Mary Laker Kinyera, the country’s Deputy High Commissioner to Rwanda, who passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Mulago Specialised National Referral Hospital.

She had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed her passing in an official statement, expressing deep sorrow at the loss of one of its most experienced and respected diplomats.

The ministry described Ambassador Kinyera as a dedicated public servant whose career spanned more than three decades and whose work significantly advanced Uganda’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

Ambassador Kinyera joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994 and steadily rose through the ranks, earning a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and quiet effectiveness.

Throughout her long and distinguished career, she served in several key departments at the ministry headquarters in Kampala, and represented Uganda in various diplomatic missions abroad, including her most recent posting in Rwanda.

Colleagues remember Ambassador Kinyera as a committed diplomat who believed deeply in dialogue, regional cooperation, and the role of diplomacy in fostering peace and mutual understanding.

Her contribution to Uganda’s international engagement, particularly within the East African region, has been widely acknowledged across government and diplomatic circles.

As Uganda reflects on her service and legacy, tributes continue to pour in from fellow diplomats, government officials, and friends who knew her as both a consummate professional and a compassionate individual.

Ambassador Santa Mary Laker Kinyera’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career devoted to public service, and she will be remembered for her lasting impact on Uganda’s diplomacy and foreign relations.

By Andrew Shyaka