To celebrate the 60th Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Uganda, the High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK Nimisha J Madhvani hosted a reception at IMO Building on 21st October. The focus of this celebration was the declaration of interdependence and shared destiny along with the reflection of African solidarity, patriotism and momentum toward social-economic transformation.
In the welcome speech, High Commissioner Nimisha J Madhvani said, “On behalf of the president of Uganda Yoweri Museveni may I congratulate all Ugandans, friends and well-wishers of Uganda on this occasion of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uganda. We are also commemorating the 50 years of expulsion of Asians from Uganda to Britain.”
The High Commissioner said, “I also thank the government of the UK for first hosting me as a refugee 50 years ago and now as a representative of a pearl of Africa- Uganda. Uganda has gone through turmoil in the past due to bad leaders like Idi Amin who destroyed development. However, now under the visionary and steady leadership of president Museveni, Uganda has achieved political and economic stability with a growth of 6 per cent per annum. President Museveni and the ministers have frequently visited the UK prior to covid 19. I want to thank the government of the UK for the great support to Uganda in trade and investment, and medical care, including recently in Covid 19 and now in the Ebola outbreak. Special support in technical assistance in human resource development as well as community development initiatives. Now, when the UK is looking for a Free Trade agreement with India, the UK must think of signing this agreement with Uganda also.”
High Commissioner Madhvani said, “Strengthening the commonwealth partnership is very important. Thanks to Lord Popat’s inspirational leadership as a trade envoy of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, the trade has grown remarkably especially in the oil, gas, industry and infrastructure sectors. Many British companies are now participating in Uganda’s development. I must also thank the Ugandans and British Asian Ugandans who are working here for their significant role in the development of our country. You all are actually our High commissioners and ambassadors outside the Uganda House Trafalgar square. Congratulations to organisations such as Once upon a time 50 years ago, Mr Harshad Modha, Ms Pragna Hey, Mr Sanjay Rughani, Mr Harish Bhai Joshi, The BUA 50 led by Lord Gadhia, Mr Praful Patel, Mr Mihir Patel and others, the Leicester group with Hon Jaffer Kapasi, Mr Atul Lakhani, Nik Kotecha, Mehar community in Leicester and all Ugandans in Portman, Peterborough, Scotland, Ireland and everywhere else.”
Now, there is a new active Asian, Turkish, Chinese and young bright brilliant London community growing in Uganda. Uganda is on the fast-track development path. Uganda is heaven on Earth. I look forward to welcoming you all there. We await the first visit of the younger generation to their ancestral home. TAMARO DESH UGANDA PAN CHE (Uganda is also your country) said Madhvani.
Rt Hon Minister for Africa Gillian Keegan said, “I congratulate Uganda on this milestone. 2022 is a landmark year for your country as most of us also recognize the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. We are so grateful for your contribution to British society. The UK will stand side by side with Uganda to fight Ebola. We gave 2.2 million pounds and sent experts to Uganda. Uganda’s progress and experiences are benefiting other countries. We will continue to work together.”
The UK prime minister's trade envoy to Uganda, DRC and Rwanda Lord Dolar Popat said, “The diaspora has a crucial role to play in strengthening the bilateral relationship between Uganda and the UK. It is a diaspora that acts as a bridge between two countries. I am delighted that I am able to make my contribution from this country to Uganda. In 2016, our trade with Uganda was 140 million pounds and now it is 5 billion pounds. 60 years is the milestone anniversary. Today Uganda is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. Have made tremendous progress in protecting democracy, protecting human rights and economic development. So, after Brexit, it is time for us to become more Global and the African continent is having huge potential.
The focus of the 60th anniversary remains on trade and economic development. We all are proud as British, not only because we live in Britain but because Britain lives within us. This month we are celebrating 50 years of expulsion of the Ugandan Asian community. What an amazing contribution they have made to this country.”
Lord Jitesh Gadhia said, “It’s my honour to be here. I want to pay tribute to what Lord Popat has done on trade. This year we are also witnessing the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Ugandan Asians. For all the different things in different sectors we are able to do, it’s all because this country has opened the doors of opportunities for us. We should definitely pay a tribute to all those who enabled that to happen.”
Co-Chairman of The Hinduja Group GP Hinduja said, “I am honoured to be invited by H.E. Nimisha Madhvani. She has been a family friend for a long time. President Museveni is very kind-hearted and has done so much remarkable for Uganda, Ugandans and the regional countries. He has become a really good leader of the Pearl of Africa. If all the countries of the African continent follow the principles of President Museveni, it will be excellent. Our group is very much committed to investing in African countries and Uganda is one of them. We are also looking forward to starting philanthropic work in Uganda.”
Representative of The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Jaffer Kapasi OBE and young Ugandan entrepreneurs also congratulated all for the 60th Independence Day of Uganda. MP Bob Blackman, Deputy Mayor Ramjibhai Chauhan, Councilor Mina Parmar, Dhirubhai Sanghani, Subhash Thakrar, Shashibhai Vekaria, Ritu Chhabria, Union Heads of mission group mark their special presence.
Before the cake-cutting ceremony, condolences to the Royal family were offered and a moment of silence was observed for the Late Queen Elizabeth II.
