The Mehta family and the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda (R) got their moment with the visiting Indian minister at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kampala
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has praised the Indian community in Uganda for their hard work, patriotism, and enduring role in strengthening ties between the two nations.
During an engagement held at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kampala on Thursday, Singh described the Indian diaspora as “a living bridge of friendship between India and Uganda.”
He said the community’s entrepreneurial spirit and devotion to both countries continue to build strong social and economic bonds.
“Your commitment and enterprising spirit keeps our nations connected through friendship and shared values,” Singh said.
As part of his visit, the minister joined the global tree-planting campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” — a climate action initiative launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh planted a sapling at the temple grounds, emphasizing that environmental protection must remain a collective effort.
Members of the Indian community giving gifts to the visiting minister
“This campaign reminds us of our duty to nurture the planet just as we honor our mothers,” he noted, adding that small acts like planting trees can inspire greater global responsibility for the environment.
Singh was in Kampala for the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting, where he also met with several foreign ministers, including Yvan Gil Pinto of Venezuela, Maxim Ryzhenkov of Belarus, Atim Anywar of Uganda, and Maria Manuela Dos Santos Lucas of Mozambique.
Their talks focused on cooperation in environmental management, capacity building, information technology, and climate resilience.
Members of Uganda’s Indian community turned up in large numbers to welcome Singh. Speakers at the event shared stories of the community’s long history in Uganda — dating back to the late 1800s — and their ongoing contribution to the country’s economic growth.
One community leader noted that though the Indian population in Uganda is relatively small, their businesses generate about 65% of the country’s tax revenue.
The visiting minister was showered with gifts
“Even miles away from home, our hearts remain with India. We take pride in supporting Uganda’s development while staying rooted in our heritage,” the leader said.
Minister Singh conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s appreciation to members of the diaspora, acknowledging their contribution to both Uganda’s progress and India’s international image.
“You are India’s ambassadors abroad — your success tells the story of our shared heritage,” he said.
The evening was wrapped up in traditional dances and cultural performances, highlighting the community’s vibrant spirit and the enduring friendship between India and Uganda.
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