Nimisha Madhvani appointed as Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda made an exclusive announcement over the weekend appointing Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani as his Ugandan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Nimisha will be starting her new posting in London in early 2022.
Nimisha Madhvani – a member of one of East Africa’s leading families – is the daughter of the late industrialist Jayantibhai Muljibhai Madhvani and Meenaben Madhvani (who passed away earlier this year), and niece of business magnate Mayur Madhvani.
The Madhvani Group continues to have a substantial presence in Uganda dating back over 100 years and is one of the largest private sector businesses operating in the UK, contributing up to 9% of Uganda’s GDP.
Many feel the “Madhvani” brand that Nimisha has, will be key in strengthening UK-Uganda relations and galvanising the diaspora for next year. The appointment will undoubtedly enhance goodwill and further promote trade and investment.
Nimisha has a long history of serving in the Ugandan diplomatic service which she joined in the early 1990s starting in Washington DC and later India. Her last posting was to the Nordic countries which included Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Prior to that, she served as Uganda's Ambassador to United Arab Emirates, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Before that, Nimisha has served as the Uganda's ambassador to France, Spain, Portugal and UNESCO, based in Paris.
Her appointment has been well received by the Ugandan Asian diaspora, leading businesspeople and the UK Government, including Lord Dolar Popat, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda who was overjoyed with the news.
Speaking to Asian Voice Lord Popat said, “We are delighted with Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani’s appointment as Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK. With her business experience, local expertise and connections, Nimisha will do a sterling job in strengthening bilateral trade and diplomatic relations between the UK and Uganda.”
Having just returned from a Trade Mission from the UK, Lord Popat is keen to increase British exports to Uganda and further double UK trade and investment in the region. Other leading UK flagship projects, including financing Uganda’s pharmaceutical Namanve Park, the established of a British hospital in northern Uganda’s Hoima district and British electricity and solar energy projects.
The appointment of Nimisha further signifies President Museveni and his government’s commitment to gender equality, as well as his investment in encouraging increased investment and tourism to promote peace prosperity and progress in the Pearl of Africa - Uganda.
Nimisha’s appointment to the UK comes at a pinnacle point, as the diaspora commence celebrations to the mark the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians from Uganda in 1972, as well as the 60th anniversary of Uganda’s Independence. Given Nimisha’s wealth of experience, President Museveni felt Nimisha was the ideal candidate to represent Uganda during these milestone celebrations.
Over 5,000 former Ugandan Asians from across the world are expected to travel back to Uganda next year to mark the anniversaries – and President Museveni is looking forward to receiving them all.
The whole of 2022 is expected to be filled with celebrations marking the anniversary and relations between UK and Uganda. Celebrations will also include the launch of the new Uganda Airlines service between Entebbe and London Heathrow, which Trade Envoy Lord Popat has been spearheading.
It will also be a timely opportunity to pay tribute to President Museveni for the fantastic transformation he has made in Uganda over the last 30 years, making it the fastest growing economy in Africa. President Museveni has been commended for his commitment to development, as well as his love for Ugandan Asians by inviting them all back to Uganda. Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani is expected to start her new role in the New Year, after officially being received by Her Majesty The Queen. Nimisha will represent the first person of Indian origin to hold the post and signify the progress Uganda has made in increasing the diversity of its Officers within its Government and Civil Service.