Wednesday 27 November 2013

 
 
Uganda’s High Commissioner, H.E Prof Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda Presents Credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

H.E Prof Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, Uganda’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Court of St James’s, formally presented her credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on 20th November 2013.

H.E Prof Kikafunda, who arrived in London in mid July 2013, was accompanied at the ceremony by her spouse, Dr Joseph Kikafunda-Twine, and members of her diplomatic staff. The group were collected from the Chancery at Uganda House, Trafalgar Square by Her Majesty’s Marshall, Mr. Charles Gray and were ferried to Buckingham Palace on horse-drawn state landaus that have been used since 1872. Uganda being a member of the Commonwealth, the Carriage was drawn by 4 horses. 

Prof Kikafunda conveyed to the Queen the best wishes of H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his government’s keen desire to promote the very strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between Uganda and the United Kingdom. They also discussed matters related to the High Commissioner’s assignment in the UK.

Following the ceremony, Prof Kikafunda hosted a Vin d’Honneur Reception at the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill that was attended by Her Majesty’s Director of Protocol and Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Ms Anna Clunes OBE, other British government officials, and heads of several missions and other diplomatic colleagues. The venue, The Churchill Hotel, was purposively selected as it was the great Winston Churchill who declared Uganda the ‘Pearl’ of Africa in early 1900s.

In her remarks, Prof Kikafunda highlighted the excellent relations that exist between Uganda and the United Kingdom and promised to take them to another level during her tour of duty. She stressed the fact that UK and Uganda are significant development partners. ‘To us in Uganda, United Kingdom is not just another foreign country, we have shared history and shared values’, she said. Her Excellency the High Commissioner identified her priorities for the bilateral relations as increasing further the robust bilateral economic ties, particularly on investment and trade; promoting stronger political cooperation and high-level interaction.