India’s High Commissioner to Ugandahas lauded Uganda under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni for keeping peace and security within the East African Region
India’s High Commissioner praised Uganda’s peaceful environment under President Museveni’s leadership, benefiting Indian businesses in Uganda. This was during the celebration of India’s 77th Independence Day held at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Uganda, emphasizing the strong cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
India’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Rawat Singh Upender, has lauded Uganda under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni for keeping peace and security within the East African Region.
“The conducive environment of peace and security has helped the Indian business community in Uganda to execute their businesses without interruption hence contributing to development of the Uganda and the region,” Upender said.
Rawat made the remakes while addressing Indian Community during belated celebrations to mark 77 years of India’s independence. The event was at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala on Saturday 16th September, 2023.
According to Upender, the 2023 Indian Independence celebration is unique as the country also celebrates its achievement of becoming the first nation to land on the Southern pole of the Moon.
“Uganda is a home of over 35,000 Indians doing different types of business’’ he noted.
The function, which was organised by Andhra Cultural Association, attracted over 800 Indians.
On August 15, 2023, India celebrated its 77th Independence Day, but in Uganda, it was celebrated on September 16, 2023. The day is marked by hoisting the Indian national flag and singing the national anthem.
This day people organise cultural programmes and seminars to pay tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom.
Strong relations
Speaking while presiding over the function, Vice-President Jesca Alupo lauded the Government and the people of India upon reaching their National Day: “I’m glad to join you to celebrate India’s diverse cultural heritage and economic potential which has stood out globally, through several centuries”.
According to Alupo, national and global economics, and culture are deeply intertwined and are key drivers of international relations and trade, and ‘this is the reason we should endeavour to always understand one another’s culture and traditions, as a way of strengthening our economic, cultural and business ties’.
“The diplomatic relationship between Uganda and India was established in 1965, our two communities have had a continuous healthy and strong commercial relationship which dates back to 1894 and this is the strong reason to cherish and consolidate the Indo-Uganda cultural and economic relationship which predates the sovereignty of our two countries,” Alupo said.
Alupo, who was represented by Kampala minister Minsa Kabanda, said India stands out as a nation that influenced the decolonisation process in Africa and was also at the frontline of the creation of the Nonaligned Movement which Uganda heartily subscribes to.
“The Indian community in Uganda continues to play a significant role in Uganda’s economic and cultural landscape, I invite you to become more integrated in the Ugandan social and cultural set-up as this will further strengthen our social, and economic relations and engagement,” she said.
Challas Sivakoti Reddy, the vice-chairperson Andhra Cultural Association, said India Day has been celebrated in Uganda since 2000, where Indians come together as they showcase Indian cultures. The function attracted the Indian business community, honorary consul of Namibia to Uganda Godfrey Kirumira, and Kampala Capital City Authority executive director Dorothy Kisaka, among others.
