(Kampala) – The Embassy of Ireland celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations with Uganda, with an event held at its Kampala premises on Friday, October 25, 2024. Irish Ambassador to Uganda Kevin Colgan and Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeje Odongo led the festivities, which highlighted the Embassy’s contributions and long-standing partnership with Ugandan government institutions and communities.
Ambassador Colgan described the anniversary as a “significant milestone” in the bilateral relationship between the two countries, rooted in mutual cooperation that extends beyond the Embassy’s establishment. Colgan traced the origins of this relationship back to the early 1900s with Mother Kevin, a well-known Irish nun who came to Uganda to build schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions. He noted that Ireland’s involvement grew stronger following Uganda’s independence, with Irish citizens making notable contributions to Ugandan society in areas such as politics, education, business, and sports.
Colgan emphasized that the Embassy’s presence, which began in 1994, strengthened this relationship and paved the way for long-term development projects across the country. He also underscored Irish Aid’s two-decade investment in Uganda’s most impoverished region, Karamoja, which has seen significant social and economic impacts through health, education, and food security programs.
The celebration brought together several dignitaries, including Vision Group CEO Don Wanyama, Dutch Ambassador to Uganda Frederieke Quispel, Chinese Embassy Minister Counselor Fan Xuecheng, and various Ugandan government officials. They joined Ambassador Colgan and Minister Odongo in a cakecutting ceremony, toasts, and moments of reflection on the impact of Irish support in Uganda.
The following table highlights key participants in the celebration:
| Dignitary | Role |
|---|---|
| Kevin Colgan | Irish Ambassador to Uganda |
| Jeje Odongo | Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| Don Wanyama | CEO, Vision Group |
| Frederieke Quispel | Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda |
| Fan Xuecheng | Minister Counselor, Chinese Embassy |
| Jane Frances Abodo | Director of Public Prosecutions |
| John Eremu | Editor, New Vision |
The event captured the impact of three decades of Irish support and the deep ties formed between Ireland and Uganda, with Ireland’s developmental footprint spanning several sectors. Ireland’s Ambassador expressed optimism about the future of this relationship, as both nations continue to benefit from shared goals in social and economic development.
