NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

UGANDA PAVILION EXPO2015  NATIONAL DAY

Wow! 3/July is and will be such a remarkable day in the history of EXPO2015. That day,the republic of Uganda celebrated its national day.

The day kicked off with an official ceremony at the Expo Center with lots of guests which included the chief guest and her delegation, EXPO staff,Uganda Community in Italy and abroad, business men,media,just to mention a few.

Head of delegation and chief guest;Honourable Amelia Kyambadde (Minister of Trade and Industry,Uganda) welcomed all guests,thanked the Italian government and EXPO staff for the great work done and later opened the "door" to so many investors by enlightening them on the various investment opportunities in Uganda. She also appreciated the great relations and ties between Uganda and Italy.

Before and after speeches,we were wowed by world known folk entertainment group;Ndere Troupe. Words can't describe how amazing their performance was.They wiggled their waists to the sound of drum beats,flutes and xylophones.

A match through the EXPO Documano followed and was led by the head of delegation guided by the chief of protocol,Uganda; Dr.Mumtaz Kassam, Commissioner General; Elly Twineyo, Deputy Commissioner General and Ambassador of Uganda to Italy; Grace Akello, Chief operations Manager; Daniel Karibwije, Pavilion Director; Molly Kibuuka and the Pavilion staff. They moved rhythmically to the sounds of Ndere Troupe to the coffee cluster common area where they met other guests. Ndere troupe did it again!

The  entourage first visited the Uganda pavilion and were warmly welcomed in the traditional and yet famous Uganda coffee tasting hour,toured the pavilion and were led to a luncheon organized by the Italian Pavilion. The delegation had the honor to tour the Italian Pavilion,and exchange gifts with the Italian host delegation.

Later,the delegation moved to the EXPO Conference center where they met different potential and current investors in Uganda,business men and women,and other invited guests for a business forum.

A speech from Uganda's Ambassador to Italy welcomed ministers,delegates, and conference participants.This was followed by presentations by the Commissioner General Uganda and Executive Director of Uganda Export Promotions Board,the Managing Director Uganda Coffee Development Authority-Mr.Henry Ngabirano, Honorary Consul of Uganda to Milan- Dr. Robert Randazzo, Executive Director of Private Sector Foundation-Mr. Gideon Badagawa, Minister of state for Finance (Investment) -Honorable Ajedra Gabriel Gadison Aridru, Director of Tourism (Uganda Wildlife Authority)- Mr. Raymond Engena. Also,testimonies of the Italian Business Community in Uganda were heard and the forum was concluded by a key note address by Honorable Amelia Kyambadde and exchange of contacts by the participants.

To ice the cake,Uganda Pavilion hosted a cocktail in the coffee cluster common area.We ate,drunk,danced and called it a day!

Ndere Troupe is still in town and they are having more performances inside and outside the EXPO grounds. Like and follow our Facebook page for updates on the continued celebration.

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