MOGADISHU – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday joined Ugandans living and working in Somalia at their embassy in Mogadishu to celebrate Uganda’s 64th independence anniversary.
Mohamud attended as chief guest, alongside senior Somali government officials, members of the diplomatic community, Ugandan business people and members of the Ugandan diaspora. The celebrations were held under the theme “Enhancing Our Sovereignty with Hope and Visionary Leadership”.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Prof Sam Turyamuhika, who hosted the event, thanked Mohamud for honouring the occasion with his presence. He said the president’s attendance reflected the strong and enduring bonds between the two countries.
In his keynote address, Mohamud congratulated President Yoweri Museveni and the people of Uganda on the anniversary. He paid tribute to Uganda’s long-standing contribution to peace and stability in Somalia.
He recalled Museveni’s visit to Mogadishu in 1992, at a time of severe insecurity, describing it as an extraordinary demonstration of solidarity with the Somali people. He also honoured the sacrifices of Ugandan troops who have served in Somalia since 2007, when Uganda became the first country to deploy forces under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Mohamud said Somalia was committed to deepening cooperation with Uganda in trade, investment and economic development. He assured Ugandan business people that his government would support their interests.
“We will work with you, and Somali institutions will work with you, and you will have what you have requested,” he said.
Uganda has a sizeable community in Somalia. According to the Ugandan embassy in Mogadishu, more than 20,000 Ugandans are employed in the country.
Ahead of the celebrations, Gen (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, met members of the community. He encouraged them to uphold professionalism and integrity as representatives of their country.
At the celebrations, Gen Tumukunde reflected on Uganda’s journey since independence on 9 October 1962. He highlighted the country’s progress in peace, stability and socioeconomic development and paid tribute to Ugandan peacekeepers who have served in Somalia.
“True independence is more than a date on a calendar; it is a living promise,” he said.
The anniversary event closed three days of engagements between the two countries in Mogadishu. It followed the Uganda–Somalia Joint Permanent Commission mid-term review, a business forum and a joint exhibition held at Airport Hotel on 21 and 22 October. It was the first time the Somali capital had hosted a meeting of the commission. According to the organisers, the talks advanced cooperation in labour, aviation, trade, tourism and investment.
Ugandan officials said the engagements reaffirmed the two countries’ shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, promoting regional integration and building on the peace and stability achieved in Somalia over the past two decades.
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