The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Ateenyi, has donated $15,000 (approximately AUD 23,000) towards preparations for the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations held in Melbourne, Australia.
Ateenyi represented President Yoweri Museveni at the UG@64 Australasian Independence Gala, Business and Cultural Convention on Sunday, October 18, where Ugandans living across Australia, New Zealand and the wider Australasian region gathered to celebrate the country’s independence.
The minister said he attended the event as Museveni’s officially designated representative, tasked with delivering the President’s message and conveying his greetings to Ugandans living abroad.
He explained that the President was unable to attend the celebrations in person because of previously scheduled national and state commitments.
“On behalf of His Excellency the President, I extend warm greetings to all Ugandans across Australia, New Zealand and the wider Australasian region, as well as to our distinguished guests and friends of Uganda gathered here this evening,” Ateenyi said.
The minister described the gathering as a demonstration of the enduring relationship between Uganda and its diaspora community, emphasising the importance of maintaining connections with citizens living outside the country.
He said Uganda remained the shared homeland of its citizens, regardless of where they lived, noting that national heritage, identity and a common future continued to unite Ugandans across the world.
The celebrations brought together members of the Ugandan diaspora and friends of the country to mark 64 years since Uganda attained independence from British colonial rule on October 9, 1962.
Ateenyi said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on Uganda’s development journey, recognise progress made since independence and renew commitments to national transformation.
He emphasised the government’s ambition to build a peaceful, modern, industrialised and prosperous Uganda, with citizens at home and abroad remaining connected to the country’s development aspirations.
The convention’s combination of business and cultural activities also provided a platform for strengthening ties between Uganda and its diaspora, whose members maintain economic, social and cultural links with their homeland.
Ateenyi’s donation of approximately AUD 23,000 was intended to support preparations for the Melbourne event, underscoring the financial contribution made towards organising the overseas independence celebrations.
Uganda marks its Independence Day annually on October 9, commemorating the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of self-government.