On October 31, 2026, Ugandans living in Kenya gathered at Savants of Mary in Karen, Nairobi, to celebrate Uganda's 64th Independence Anniversary. The event, organized by the Ugandan Community at Tangaza (UGACOT), was attended by students, lecturers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and friends of Uganda. The theme of the celebration was "Uganda @64: One People, One Heritage, One Responsibility, One Future." The occasion featured cultural performances from across Uganda, showcasing the country's rich heritage.
Speaking on behalf of the Jago (Prime Minister) of the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, Owere Usher Wilson, Minister in charge of Jopadhola in the Diaspora, conveyed greetings and blessings from the cultural leader, Kwar Adhola Mose Owor. He emphasized that distance and borders could not dilute the blood, culture, and values that define the Jopadhola and Ugandans at large. The Office of the Jago recognizes Ugandans living abroad not just as citizens but as primary ambassadors, intellectual engines, and economic backbones in the East African Community.
Owere Usher Wilson saluted the lecturers and academicians in the audience for their contribution to projecting Uganda's intellectual capacity across the region. He challenged them to bridge the gap between diaspora research and home-grown solutions, particularly in mentoring young students in Kenya and Uganda. The Minister also praised the entrepreneurs, traders, and corporate leaders for their resilience in a foreign market, job creation, and remittances to both the Kenyan and Ugandan economies.
The Minister urged the business community to seize the opportunities offered by East African Community integration and invest back home, particularly in agriculture, value addition, and cross-border trade. He described students as the crown jewel of the future, urging them to study with focus, innovate with passion, and maintain integrity. The Tieng Adhola Institution is counting on the younger generation to bring modern skills back home, he said.
Owere also called for unity among Ugandan umbrella associations in Kenya, asking businesspeople to mentor students and lecturers to guide young graduates. He emphasized the importance of passing on Dhopadhola, the language of the Jopadhola, and instilling values of faith, respect, hard work, and communal solidarity in the diaspora's children. A tree without roots cannot withstand a storm, he said, urging Ugandans in Kenya to support one another and keep their culture alive.
The celebration featured a mix of performances from across Uganda, including Bagisu dancers, Western Ugandan songs, and Baganda melodies, alongside samples of Jopadhola culture from the diaspora. The ceremony began with prayers before giving way to the cultural showcases, reflecting the theme of the day, "One People, One Heritage." UGACOT President Mark Owora described the Prime Minister as a respected leader and cultural ambassador of the people of Tororo and the wider Tieng Adhola community.
The occasion also saw the official launch of the UGACOT Signature Project, an initiative aimed at acquiring plastic chairs to facilitate community gatherings, educational activities, and cultural events. Owere closed his remarks with assurances that the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution remains fully committed to supporting the diaspora, with its doors open to ideas, expertise, and investments. He urged Ugandans to stand tall, proud of their Ugandan identity, cultural heritage, and determined to leave a legacy of excellence in Kenya and Uganda.
Key points
- The Jago's envoy, Owere Usher Wilson, urged diaspora Ugandans to stay united and harness their skills for the development of their homeland.
- The event celebrated Uganda's 64th Independence Anniversary, with a theme of "One People, One Heritage, One Responsibility, One Future."
- The Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution remains committed to supporting the diaspora, with a focus on unity, cultural preservation, and investments.
