By Kampala Post Reporter
The Italian Ambassador to Uganda, HE Domenico Fornara last evening at his residence in Kololo hosted dozens of fellow diplomats, Uganda government officials and other dignitaries to a toast of the 73rd anniversary of the Italian Republic Day, known as the Festa Della Repubblica in Italian (festival of the Republic).
The Republic day, marked on June 2 every year is a national holiday in Italy that celebrates the day when Italians overwhelmingly voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy in 1946 so their country could become a republic.
The minister of science, technology, and innovations, Hon Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye represented the government. Hon Sam Kutesa, the foreign affairs minister could not attend as he was away in Kinshasa, DRC to represent President Museveni at the burial of the remains of late DRC opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi who died over two years ago while exiled in Belgium. Etienne was the father of the recently elected DRC leader, Felix Tshisekedi.
The senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was amongst the guests present. Others included the Defense and UPDF Spokesman, Brig Richard Karemire, envoys from the US, UK, Dutch, EU, Egyptian, and South Africa High Commission.
“I congratulate the Italian community in Uganda on achieving 73 years as a republic,” said Gen. Kainerugaba later in a message on his Twitter account.
Hon Tumwesigye hailed the close historical ties between the two countries, saying it was in the interest of the two countries to maintain the close bond of friendship. He congratulated the Italian Ambassador for his outstanding tour of duty and invited him to continue visiting Uganda whenever he pleased to continue the friendship he had made with many people in Uganda.
HE Domenico, whose three-year term in Uganda is coming to a close informed the attentive audience that he had enjoyed his tour of duty in Uganda so much and that he leaves the country with very fond memories.
