WASHINGTON, D.C. / KAMPALA – The Embassy of Uganda in Washington, D.C. has expanded its engagement with American public affairs firms amid growing international scrutiny over the country’s human rights record, political environment and upcoming elections.
Documents filed under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show that Uganda’s embassy has entered into a subcontracting arrangement with Skyline Capitol LLC, a U.S.-based public affairs firm, for services valued at $20,000 (about Shs75 million) per month.
The filings, received on July 9, 2026, indicate that Skyline Capitol LLC will provide strategic advisory services, including engagement with U.S. policymakers, media relations and communications support.
The firm is operating under an agreement with Moran Global Strategies Inc., which serves as the embassy’s primary representative in the United States.
According to the disclosure documents, the work involves informational outreach and communications support and does not include political advocacy or lobbying activities.
The latest agreement adds to Uganda’s broader public relations efforts in Washington, following an earlier reported arrangement with Scribe Strategies, valued at approximately $25,000 per month. Combined, the contracts amount to more than $500,000 annually.
The developments have attracted criticism from opposition figures, including National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, who accused the government of attempting to improve its international image through foreign public relations firms.
“These documents, publicized under America’s public disclosure laws, reveal that the Museveni regime is busy hiring foreign agents in Washington DC to whitewash its battered image before the world,” Bobi Wine said.
He alleged that the firms would engage American legislators, non-governmental organisations and media outlets on behalf of the government.
“But it’s too late because the truth about Uganda is already out and absolutely nothing the regime does can buy it back,” he added.
The contracts come at a time when Uganda has faced increased international criticism over reports concerning political freedoms, opposition activities and the treatment of journalists and activists.
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy weighed in on the debate, suggesting that addressing concerns around governance, freedoms and electoral processes would have a greater impact on Uganda’s international reputation than public relations campaigns.
Supporters of the government argue that international engagement is a normal practice for governments seeking to explain policies, promote investment and strengthen diplomatic relations.
The debate has also emerged against the backdrop of renewed attention on Uganda’s political environment ahead of elections, with opposition actors accusing authorities of suppressing dissent, while the government has maintained that it is committed to maintaining peace, stability and constitutional order.
Under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, organisations and individuals representing foreign governments or entities are required to disclose their relationships, activities and financial arrangements to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The filings provide public transparency on foreign influence activities in the United States but do not, by themselves, indicate wrongdoing by the parties involved.
