By Andrew Irumba
The Ambassador of the Unites States to Uganda Deborah Ruth Malac is waiting for further instructions from Washington DC about her fate as US Envoy to Uganda.
Spy Uganda reveals that Malac’s tenure came to an end a few days ago and news of her forthcoming departure was revealed when she visited the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga on Thursday for a private meeting.
Soon thereafter tweet from Parliament of Uganda indicated that Kadaga wished Malac well as she reached the evening of her service as American Ambassador to Uganda and gifted her with a locally made painting.
Our Spy however learnt from Diplomatic sources that Malac also announced her exit as the US Ambassador to Uganda.
“What we know is that she has done her years as Ugandan ambassador and it was announced earlier but she is expected to leave in February next year,” a source revealed.
Malac was nominated by USA President Barrac Obama on September 19th, 2015 replacing Ambassador Scott Delisi who had announced his retirement. The US senate confirmed Malac’s nomination in November 2015. Malac presented her credentials to President Yoweri Museveni on February 27, 2016.
Natalie E. Brown also career member of the Senior Foreign service, is tipped to replace Malac, according to a Spy at the Embassy. Natalie currently serves as the Chief of Mission of the USA to Eritrea.
The source intimated that Malac’s departure hasn’t been publicized yet because she is waiting for her replacement.
Sources also say Malac personally told high level meetings that she would be leaving as US Ambassador but may return in a different capacity.
Malac has had an outstanding role in Uganda, specifically advocating for freedom of speech, democracy and respect of human rights among others.
Malac’s major task as she came to Uganda was to help Uganda avoid complacency with regards to HIV/ Aids after the progress made and also ensure that Uganda enforces tenuous peace agreements in war torn south Sudan.
Before coming to Uganda, she was the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and also worked as Director of the Office of East African Affairs in Washington among others.
While being vetted for t posting to Uganda by the Senate Foreign Relations committee, Malac told the committee that if she was confirmed, she will urge the Ugandan president to ensure the political space necessary for a spirited and robust campaign in which all parties participate fairly as the country was heading to elections.
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