The Weekly Observer | Ugandan Diaspora Community Party at Their 5th Annual Gala – Kampala Serena Hotel

Ugandans living in the diaspora ended the year and possibly their holiday to their mother country with the Uganda-Diaspora gala night.
The event took place last Wednesday at the Kampala Serena hotel. This was the fifth edition of the annual gala, and key on the agenda was social networking, dinner, fashion, culture, music, dance and awards.

According to the event organizer, Ronnie Mayanja, the gala is all about getting Ugandans that live in the diaspora together at home. It’s the ultimate diaspora homecoming event now in its 5th year.

“This is a forum where the Ugandan diaspora on various continents can meet and greet in one place while building new social, business, economic and cultural linkages,” he said.

The awards are a celebration of Uganda’s success stories abroad and are also meant to be a source of inspiration to the next generation.  The patron, Dr Maggie Kigozi, emphasized the need for continued investment in Uganda and called upon Ugandans living abroad to promote the country, especially in the areas of tourism.

On the fashion side, the organisers called upon the services of Martha Jabo and Raphael Kasule to showcase their latest designs that wowed the audience. The guests appreciated the maturity showcased and undoubtedly appreciated the strides taken by the Ugandan fashion industry if their applause is to go by.

Sandra Suubi sang her single Togwamu Suubi and got some of us who have been following her asking ourselves why she is taking so long to give us an album. Other notable performances included The eXtreme 3 Cultural Troupe that presented a rare musical drama that was reminiscent of Alex Mukulu’s days…

Afrigo band was handed the reign for the night’s music department. With the whole ensemble present, it was all about going back in time with their timeless classic songs played back-to-back. When Rachael Magoola performed Vooto and the dances came out; it was definitely dancing time.

The vice president Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi who was the event’s guest of honor reiterated the need to invest in Uganda before presiding over the the 5th annual awards ceremony. James Aguma, Victor Ochen, Andy Agaba, Josephine Ssenkungo, Stephen Tio Kauma and Victoria Sekitoleko were awarded for their achievements in different fields.

Ochen is the youngest African ever to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He has dedicated his life to rehabilitating victims of war. And as a Uganda peace ambassador and founder of Africa Youth Initiative Network – AYINET, Victor continues to impact his generation through peaceful initiatives that have seen him traverse the globe.

Aguma is the chief financial officer of South Africa Broadcasting Corporation, Africa’s biggest public broadcaster. In his keynote address, Aguma called upon the government to put in place policies that will enable Uganda’s fashion, the arts, innovations and tourism to be sold outside Uganda. Other speakers included representatives from Bank of Uganda, Diamond Trust Bank, MTN Mobile Money, Roofings and the Uganda America Chamber among others.

The music and networking went on till late with a grand finale performance coming from the legendary Afrigo band who made 40 last year.

barangasam@gmail.com