The Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Kiema Kilonzo, has said the Kenya High Commission in Kampala is committed to promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Uganda and Kenya.
Ambassador Kilonzo was Wednesday visiting orphans of Masulita Children’s Village in Wakiso District to express solidarity and support the concerted efforts of the Ugandan people to positively impact the lives of the underprivileged in the society.
Accompanied by officials from the Kenyan High Commission, Amb Kilonzo preached the message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity, saying losing one’s parents or family was not the end of the world.
Taking on the role of Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Amb Kilonzo donated an assortment of goodies to help the kids celebrate early Christmas.
The items donated to the orphans included; 95 pairs of shoes, 20kg of maize flour, 96kg of wheat flour, 200 litres of sunseed oil, 100kg of rice, 40 bars of washing soap, 200kg of sugar, 50 pieces of bread, 8 balls, 100kg each in beans, soya beans and soya flour.
The donations were made possible by companies like; Bata Shoe Company Uganda Limited, Grain Bulk Handlers (U) Ltd., Riders Uganda Ltd., and Symbion Uganda Ltd.
Amb Kilonzo’s visit to Masulita is part of pre-independence activities culminating with Jamhuri Day Reception to be hosted on 11th December, 2018.
He told orphans not to lose hope for the future was still bright and waiting for them to shape it.
“The next president of Uganda will come from among you. Some of you will become Uganda’s next MPs, government officials and stakeholders,” he said.
The ambassador thanked the Ugandan First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni for spearheading Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans [UWESO] that made it possible for street children and orphaned children to have a new lease of life.
He promised to engage the Kenyan First Lady Margaret Kenyatta through her “Beyond Zero Campaign” to partner with UWESO in a bid to improve health and livelihoods of Ugandan women and children.
Speaking at the same event, Hon Rose Tumusiime, the chairperson of UWESO and Entebbe Municipality MP, said the NGO had rescued 104 children in the past five years.
“We have children from Karamoja, Kampala streets and other areas. They have been rehabilitated in our children homes. We have also started a vocational training institute to give them life skills,” Hon Tumusiime said.
Among other initiatives, she said Masulita home owns a greenhouse, dairy farm, piggery, poultry, maize mill, goats and other farm produce to generate income.
She thanked the Kenyan High Commission for choosing to partner with UWESO and celebrating Kenyan independence with Ugandans.
As part of the celebrations, the mission is also hosting a Golf Tournament on Saturday, 8th December, 2018 at the Uganda Golf Club, Kitante.
The tournament is meant to facilitate a stress free environment for interaction and conversation on trade and investment between government officials, the corporate world, and other like-minded persons.
The Tournament is sponsored by; Commercial Bank of Africa Limited (CBA), Equity Bank Uganda Limited, Fly SAX, Horyal Investments, Kampala Serena, KCB Bank Uganda Limited, Kenya Airways, Kenya Ports Authority, Liaison Uganda Ltd., Midland Group of Companies, NC Bank Uganda Limited, One Petroleum (U) Ltd., Petro Uganda Ltd., STABEX International, Uganda Breweries Limited.
