On Thursday 9 October 2025 the Uganda Embassy in Bujumbura hosted a dinner to commemorate the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary at the Embassy Chancery in Bujumbura; under the theme “A reason to double our effort in sustaining a united and progressive nation”
Presiding over the event was His Excellency Major General (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Burundi, who was joined by the Government of the Republic of Burundi was the Chief Guest – Mr. Severin Mbarubukeye, Permanent Secretary East African Affairs, on behalf of Amb. Edourd Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development cooperation.
The event brought together 548 distinguished guests including Ugandan Diaspora studying, working and living in Burundi; Excellences the Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, Consular Missions, Heads of Regional and International Organizations accredited to the Republic of Burundi; Senior Government Officials, the Clergy, representatives of the Burundi Business Community.
Guests were served a variety of Ugandan dishes and drinks, including the iconic Uganda Waragi; and entertained by a Ugandan cultural group that performed dances from all regionals of Uganda.
In his speech, H.E. Ambassador Kyaligonza reminded the guests that Uganda and Burundi have a common history that is rooted in the colonization of our two countries; and that the struggles that we went through over the years to liberate ourselves from the colonizers have shaped the destiny of each of our countries.
He further noted that even before the colonizers, our communities had a strong bond of brotherhood that was anchored on the trade between us. He urged Ugandans living and working in Burundi to remain true Ambassadors of our country, by building on the bedrock of the historical strong ties that have always existed between Uganda and Burundi.
He congratulated the Republic of Burundi for earlier this year successfully concluding the parliamentary elections in a peaceful and democratic manner; and invited all guest to consider visiting Uganda – the Pearl of Africa – home of Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Fall and Kidepo national parks and Bwindi impenetrable forest.
In his speech, the Mr. Mbarubukeye reiterated the fact that Uganda and Burundi have enjoyed cordial and solid friendship that has been bound together our brotherhood and cooperation that has been witnessed through mutual support provided in times of insecurity crises experienced by our two countries; though high-level visits; commercial and cultural exchanges; and education exchanges especially through Burundi schools that continue to adopt the Uganda national curriculum.
Mr. Mbarubukeye strongly urged the respective Senior Officials in Burundi and Uganda to organize a joint technical meeting as soon as possible, so that assessment of the progress made is ascertained, with a view to planning and scheduling the 4th Session of the JPC and Business Forum between Uganda and Burundi.The Uganda Embassy 63rd Independence Day Anniversary dinner was a joyous networking opportunity that brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, further cementing the historical cordial relations between Uganda and Burundi.
