Ugandan Diaspora Gala Highlights and Pictures – The 2014 Edition!

On 30th December the fourth annual Ugandan Diaspora Social Networking Gala was held at the Kampala Serena Hotel – Kampala in what was a night of glamour, pomp and show. This year saw some new additions like the Diaspora Business Breakfast, Gala and official After party.

Among the highlights this year was the list of distinguished recipients that included the Mr. Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige founder of the BMK group and Hotel Africana who was awarded the Diaspora Lifetime entrepreneurship award, Dr. Margaret Mungerera President – World Medical Association was awarded the Diaspora medical award, while Mr. Namitti Musaazi – the team leader at Al Jazeera Africa was awarded the Diaspora Journalism award and Mr. Elijah Kitaka head of Google’s entrepreneurship division in sub – saharan Africa received this year’s Diaspora Technology award.

Other recipients included Richard Musinguzi who was this year’s recipient of the Diaspora innovate award for his new animated cartoon series ‘Katoto’ that has become an instant hit on social media platforms across Uganda. This year’s entertainment featured seasoned artists like Uganda’s very own musical legends Swahili nation led by Charlie King and Ken Daniels, a live musical band and a dance troupe performance from Xtreme 3 Ministries crowned part of the evening.

But it was perhaps the comedy show featuring Herbert Mendo Segujja — a.k.a Teacher Mpamire that left the audience in total excitement as Teacher Mpamire kept teasing them with his satirical questions about what when wrong in Uganda’s Politics. The other featured Comedian was Dolibondo the Unstressor whose stutter jokes left many in stitches!!!

When it came to fashion Martha Jabo, Solome Katongole and new kid on the bloc Rachel Nakimera this year’s lead designers did not disappoint unleashing some of the latest designs in both traditional African wear and the latest in men’s fashion collections — Made in Uganda!

Two Diaspora book launches were also featured that included the Totems of Uganda – Buganda edition – Diaspora book launch and – A collection of Poems in Prose by Mumbejja Margaret Anne Mazzi Wampamba. These books meant to preserve our cultural heritage also received overwhelming support and both authors were applauded for their creativity.

This years gala was officiated by Uganda’s Ambassador to Canada H.E. Amb. Alintuma Nsambu who represented the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda who could not attend this year’s event due to conflicting work schedules. As the night came to an end many of this year’s revelers headed out to Guvnor for this year’s official after party event event that was sponsored by Castle Lager and Nile Gold.

In a break with tradition this year Ugandan Diaspora Network hosted 3 events in one starting with the first Diaspora Business Breakfast on 29th December 2014, Diaspora Gala on the 30th and the Official After Party at Guvnor. A special thank you to all event sponsors Bank of Uganda, Presitige Pine Villages, NTV Uganda, Roofings Uganda led by the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Oliver Olalani and our annual partners without whom we would not be able to host this Diaspora Gala.

To the team led by our Patron Prof. Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Belinda Namutebi, Bedford Buyungo our Creative Director ,Charlotte Bbosa, Joyce Nalubwama, Aiden Mutebi, Sam Sendiwala, Solomon Jagwe our web master, Tim Kiwala for some of the graphics and Mrs Serinah Muganzi our chief of Protocol – thank you all for your dedication.

Ugandan Diaspora News attended the this year’s festivities and now brings you some of the highlights in pictures from the Kampala Serena Hotel. (All photos by Guilio Molfese!!!)