An influential business guru and communities ambassador, Jaffer Kapasi OBE, has this week formally installed as the Honorary Consul of Uganda.
The signing ceremony took place at Uganda House in London. The master of ceremonies was Guma Komwiswa, PA to Uganda’s High Commissioner in the UK, Her Excellency Professor Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda. Speakers included Lord Sheikh, Subhash Thakrar, Vice President of London Chamber, and Dr Jen Dickinson from Leicester University. Guests were each asked to introduce themselves and to say a few words about their acquaintance with Mr Kapasi.
Guests included Malcolm Deboo, President of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, media representatives Rajiv Popat, Romail Gulzar, Amit Roy, Ahmed Versi as well as community activists Hamidbhai Malik, Pravinbhai Amin, businessmen Vic Sethi , Zed Lorgat, Hussein Ghor and Bert Kee, Cllr Vina Mithani and our Advertising Manager Kishorbhai Parmar.
Mr Kapasi’s main responsibilities will include building economic, social, cultural and educational bridges, as well as encouraging bilateral trade, investment and exports for mutual benefit, thus adding even greater value to existing links.
Uganda’s President, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, said: “Jaffer is a longstanding friend of Uganda. He is truly deserving of this honorary role as ambassador for Uganda in the Midlands and I wish him success in his work.”
Her Excellency Professor Kikafunda described Mr Kapasi “a hardworking individual” and “a son of Uganda” adding, “his contributions to both Uganda and to the UK have been remarkable. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge, vast experience and connections which will, I’m confident, add even greater value to all the work that we do at the High Commission in London.”
Ian Harrison, Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the East Midlands, described Mr Kapasi “an asset to the East Midlands”. He added: “I’m sure his new role will add even greater value, particularly to businesses with links to Uganda, or those considering to establish ties with Uganda. I wish him well.”
Jaffer Kapasi arrived from Uganda into the UK in 1972. Since, he has settled in Leicester where he runs his own accountancy firm. In 1997 he was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty The Queen for his services to business in Leicestershire. Mr Kapasi, 65, has served as a Non-Executive Director on a number of Boards, including that of the NHS and University of Leicester. He is a Director of East Midlands Chamber, also of Asra Housing Group.
Recently, Professor K Sato of Meji University of Tokyo wrote a biography on the life of Mr Kapasi and his various contributions to the British way of life.
Mr Kapasi said: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to represent the Republic of Uganda in the Midlands. There is enormous potential to do so much more for the benefit of both Uganda and the UK and I pledge to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to work together on all fronts to help reach common goals and objectives for the benefit of everyone.”
Mr Kapasi is married to Yasmin and the couple , who live in Oadby in Leicester, have a daughter, Rashida, who is a chemical engineer and a son, Muffaddal, who is an auditor.
Uganda has a population of approximately 37 million people, making it the third largest consumer market in East Africa. Over 100 UK companies are operating in Uganda. These include Tullow Oil, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays Bank, Unilever, Shell and British Airways. Bilateral trade in goods between the UK and Uganda exceeded £81.5 million in 2013. In 2013 UK exports to Uganda totalled £66 million.
