Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul has launched his latest book, Uganda Since 1986: The Socio-Economic Transformation Journey of Uganda Through the Eyes of a Foreign Service Officer, offering a detailed account of the country's modern history and development trajectory.
The book was unveiled at a ceremony held at the Serena Conference Centre, presided over by Brigadier General Paddy Ankunda, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The event was attended by senior government officials, diplomats and technocrats, reflecting the significance attached to the publication.
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In the book, Ambassador Ogwang combines personal experience with historical and policy analysis to document Uganda's recovery from the political and economic turmoil that characterised the years before 1986.
He reconstructs what he describes as a period of institutional collapse and economic breakdown, before tracing the policy choices and leadership decisions that shaped the country's subsequent recovery.
The author organises Uganda's transformation into four broad phases: stabilisation and recovery in the late 1980s and 1990s; economic expansion and diversification in the 1990s and early 2000s; a shift towards value addition and industrialisation in the 2000s and 2010s; and the current phase focused on knowledge, innovation and technology-driven growth.
A central theme in the book is governance, which Ogwang likens to an orchestra in which the executive, legislature, judiciary and security institutions play complementary roles.
Ambassador Ogwang argues that sustained peace and security have been fundamental to economic recovery, enabling the reopening of schools, revival of markets and expansion of infrastructure.
The book also places strong emphasis on diplomacy as a driver of economic growth.
Drawing on his experience in the Foreign Service, Ogwang argues that Uganda's diplomatic missions should be viewed as tools for commercial diplomacy, investment promotion and market access, rather than as purely administrative outposts.
While largely affirmative of Uganda's progress, the author acknowledges ongoing challenges, including corruption, inequality and high production costs, which he warns could undermine development gains if left unaddressed.
He urges greater accountability and integrity in public service, particularly as the country looks to the future.
Positioned within the broader national conversation on safeguarding development achievements, Uganda Since 1986 is presented as a civic education resource, especially for younger generations who have grown up during a period of relative stability.
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The book adds to the growing body of literature examining Uganda's post-1986 trajectory and is likely to attract the attention of policymakers, scholars and citizens seeking to understand the forces that have shaped the country's contemporary political and economic landscape.
