Catherine W Gichuki
Doha
Dance performances, fashion show, artwork displays and inspirational talks marked the 57th Ugandan Independence Day celebrations in Doha on Friday, October 11. The venue showcased the rich Ugandan culture and heritage beautifully through the attires, art works, dance performances, and the displays of accessories.
Representatives from other communities such as people from Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa were present at the event. There were also representatives from Ethiopian Airlines, Quest Overseas and Dahabshiil.
Besides the Ugandan cultural dance, the audience were entertained by musicians including Julio K, Kenneth, Neila Haiti and Don Warrior.
Dr Eddy Kurobuza Tukamushaba, associate professor at Stenden University Qatar, was the guest of honour.
Speaking at the event, Ugandan Community in Qatar (UGACOQ) Chairperson Aliguma Saul Rayan said the community is happy as the Ugandan embassy is now present in Qatar.
The UGACOQ, he noted, has been serving the community voluntarily. "It’s you and me who give us this energy and motivation to come up with ideas, solutions and objectives of the things that we need to do,” he said.
The UGACOQ is non-political and non-profit group, he said, noting: "Now that the embassy is here, I believe it cannot function well without the involvement of the Ugandans.”
He added: "I am calling all the Ugandans to embrace the embassy. If you have any challenges you can approach the embassy and if you have any ideas that could help the embassy to offer its services better, you should reach out. The embassy is here because of the Ugandans. Be good ambassadors and use this embassy in your favour.”
Rayan also advised members of other nationalities to approach the embassy if they need any information. "If you want to visit Uganda and you are not sure how to go about it, you can visit the embassy to learn what Uganda has to offer.”
He complimented the UGACOQ members over the establishment of the embassy in Qatar. "We gave our commitment, we provided any information that was required, and the embassy opened in Qatar.”
Rayan encouraged the Ugandans to be good ambassadors of their country in Qatar. "You have to be good ambassadors. We will try to unite the Ugandans in the best way we can.”
He said that though Ugandans in Qatar come from different regions of the country, they should live as one. "There are those who come from the North, East, South and West and speak different languages but at the end of the day they hold one passport. We all arrive to Uganda using one airport -- the Entebbe International Airport. Therefore, you all have a task to embrace one another, live happily and peacefully as Ugandans.”
Rayan said there should not be
divisions among Ugandans and they should live like brothers and sisters.
"We may support different political parties but when in Qatar, we must embrace the ideology that we are all Ugandans. So, represent Uganda in a good way whether at work, on the road, or at your accommodation.”
He said that as leaders of the UGACOQ, they want to leave a rich legacy behind, adding that he hoped the leaders who follow would continue with the legacy. "There will be new challenges everyday which require someone with new ideas and connections. Every Ugandan should start training in different skills and learn from others so that they are always in a position to help and support the community.”
He also advised the Ugandans to work on plans on how to live a better life once they leave Qatar. "When you are here, think about home as well because a time will come when one has to return to Uganda.”
Rayan thanked the sponsors and partners of the event including Ethiopian Airlines, Quest Overseas, Dahabshiil and the executive members of UGACOQ.
During the event, Ethiopian Airlines area manager enlightened people on the airline’s new application. Quest Overseas representative enlightened people on how skilled workers can get permanent residency in Canada or Australia.
A representative from Dahabshiil, which a majority of Ugandans use to remit money to their country, was also present at the event.
There were also representatives from different communities and embassies including Morocco, Cameroon, South Africa, the Philippines, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Bulgaria.
Derrick Madiba, a South African who spoke on behalf of the South African ambassador, described how South Africans got their independence. "Africa has lots of resources. There is so much that we as Africans can do for each other as a whole. Let’s change our mindset. We are the future of Africa. We can still change the course of the way Africa is going. Let’s embrace each other. We all belong to Mama Africa,” he said.UGACOQ Secretary Martha Anyait sand a poem to inspire the audience.
She said one should always be looking forward to be a winner even when things are not going right. "For that to happen, you must always have a positive attitude towards life,” she said.(Photographs by Frank Dizon)
Doha
Dance performances, fashion show, artwork displays and inspirational talks marked the 57th Ugandan Independence Day celebrations in Doha on Friday, October 11. The venue showcased the rich Ugandan culture and heritage beautifully through the attires, art works, dance performances, and the displays of accessories.
Representatives from other communities such as people from Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa were present at the event. There were also representatives from Ethiopian Airlines, Quest Overseas and Dahabshiil.
Besides the Ugandan cultural dance, the audience were entertained by musicians including Julio K, Kenneth, Neila Haiti and Don Warrior.
Dr Eddy Kurobuza Tukamushaba, associate professor at Stenden University Qatar, was the guest of honour.
Speaking at the event, Ugandan Community in Qatar (UGACOQ) Chairperson Aliguma Saul Rayan said the community is happy as the Ugandan embassy is now present in Qatar.
The UGACOQ, he noted, has been serving the community voluntarily. "It’s you and me who give us this energy and motivation to come up with ideas, solutions and objectives of the things that we need to do,” he said.
The UGACOQ is non-political and non-profit group, he said, noting: "Now that the embassy is here, I believe it cannot function well without the involvement of the Ugandans.”
He added: "I am calling all the Ugandans to embrace the embassy. If you have any challenges you can approach the embassy and if you have any ideas that could help the embassy to offer its services better, you should reach out. The embassy is here because of the Ugandans. Be good ambassadors and use this embassy in your favour.”
Rayan also advised members of other nationalities to approach the embassy if they need any information. "If you want to visit Uganda and you are not sure how to go about it, you can visit the embassy to learn what Uganda has to offer.”
He complimented the UGACOQ members over the establishment of the embassy in Qatar. "We gave our commitment, we provided any information that was required, and the embassy opened in Qatar.”
Rayan encouraged the Ugandans to be good ambassadors of their country in Qatar. "You have to be good ambassadors. We will try to unite the Ugandans in the best way we can.”
He said that though Ugandans in Qatar come from different regions of the country, they should live as one. "There are those who come from the North, East, South and West and speak different languages but at the end of the day they hold one passport. We all arrive to Uganda using one airport -- the Entebbe International Airport. Therefore, you all have a task to embrace one another, live happily and peacefully as Ugandans.”
Rayan said there should not be
divisions among Ugandans and they should live like brothers and sisters.
"We may support different political parties but when in Qatar, we must embrace the ideology that we are all Ugandans. So, represent Uganda in a good way whether at work, on the road, or at your accommodation.”
He said that as leaders of the UGACOQ, they want to leave a rich legacy behind, adding that he hoped the leaders who follow would continue with the legacy. "There will be new challenges everyday which require someone with new ideas and connections. Every Ugandan should start training in different skills and learn from others so that they are always in a position to help and support the community.”
He also advised the Ugandans to work on plans on how to live a better life once they leave Qatar. "When you are here, think about home as well because a time will come when one has to return to Uganda.”
Rayan thanked the sponsors and partners of the event including Ethiopian Airlines, Quest Overseas, Dahabshiil and the executive members of UGACOQ.
During the event, Ethiopian Airlines area manager enlightened people on the airline’s new application. Quest Overseas representative enlightened people on how skilled workers can get permanent residency in Canada or Australia.
A representative from Dahabshiil, which a majority of Ugandans use to remit money to their country, was also present at the event.
There were also representatives from different communities and embassies including Morocco, Cameroon, South Africa, the Philippines, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Bulgaria.
Derrick Madiba, a South African who spoke on behalf of the South African ambassador, described how South Africans got their independence. "Africa has lots of resources. There is so much that we as Africans can do for each other as a whole. Let’s change our mindset. We are the future of Africa. We can still change the course of the way Africa is going. Let’s embrace each other. We all belong to Mama Africa,” he said.UGACOQ Secretary Martha Anyait sand a poem to inspire the audience.
She said one should always be looking forward to be a winner even when things are not going right. "For that to happen, you must always have a positive attitude towards life,” she said.(Photographs by Frank Dizon)