UPAVA honours Past Presidents  

Dan, Bruce, George and Daniel during the awarding ceremony

On a special evening of celebration of the Uganda Independence Gala on October 12, current Community President Norman Katende took the opportunity to acknowledge the unsung heroes who have consistently supported the association’s mission, even after stepping down from formal leadership roles.

In a surprise moment of the evening, the Special President’s Award was awarded to three exceptional individuals. These leaders had not only served as past Presidents but, despite completing their terms or stepping down due to other commitments, returned to continue contributing their time and energy to the community.

“You embody the true spirit of our community,” Katende said during the ceremony. “In our culture, we volunteer for the greater good, and your continued dedication is a testament to your passion and commitment. These awards are our way of saying thank you for your unwavering support.” He invited local Member of Parliament Daniel Mulino, representing Eastern Victoria Region, and newly found Ugandan community ally Bruce Wong—CEO of Footsolutions—to present the awards.

The recipients of the Special President’s Award were:

• George Mukiibi (2015-2017): Although his term as President ended years ago, Mukiibi has remained active in the community, notably serving on the Constitutional Review Commission. He also took on the role of Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s event.
• Moses Otyek (2017-2018): A former President who has continued his dedication to the community through involvement with the Constitutional Review Commission. Otyek was also the MC for last year’s event, further exemplifying his ongoing commitment.
• Dan Kisumbi (2018-2020): After completing his term as President, Kisumbi returned to serve the association in several capacities and is currently the Vice President.

These leaders have made invaluable contributions to the Ugandan community, and their ongoing service exemplifies the deep bonds and sense of duty that keep the association thriving.