United Kingdom: Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal concludes visit to Uganda – African Business

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal has completed a four-day visit to Uganda which showcased the UK’s ongoing partnership with Uganda across many sectors, including health, education, agriculture and business.

Kate Airey OBE, British High Commissioner to Uganda said of HRH The Princess Royal’s visit to Uganda:

It was a great pleasure to host Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, on her third visit to Uganda to celebrate the UK Uganda partnership at this 60th anniversary. This visit gave me the opportunity to meet President Museveni and to witness, once again, the warmth and hospitality of Ugandans. It also allowed me to see first-hand the partnerships formed by Save the Children (Opportunity International), Sense International and Transaid, all charities that The Princess is a patron.

I extend my thanks to all of the individuals working to deliver sustainable improvements in the lives of some of Uganda’s most vulnerable

HRH The Princess Royal visited the Medical Research Council / UVRI laboratories. She appreciated the long-standing relationships with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and was impressed by how partnerships with top UK academic institutions have supported cutting-edge research in infectious and non-communicable disease research.

As Chancellor of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, HRH The Princess Royal met staff to learn more about the MRC Unit’s mandate to conduct high quality, research that contributes to the development of strong health protocols in the control of infectious and non-communicable diseases, including recent COVID-19 research which help to saves lives.

HRH the Princess Royal was a patron of Save the Children and Opportunity International. She also saw Transaid in action. During her visit, HRH The Princess Royal witnessed Uganda’s welcoming approach to refugees – the largest refugee population in Africa – and the support provided by British charities.

HRH the Princess Royal opened the first branch for Opportunity International Bank in Nakivale, marking a landmark in financial access. HRH The Princess Royal subsequently saw how Opportunity International’s bank loans have supported the Unleashed Youth Employment Project’s refugee entrepreneurs. HRH The Princess Royal also met with Wenzetu Women’s Group to discuss how Opportunity International has worked with the group to assist families of people with disabilities.

HRH the Princess Royal continued her visit to Kyangwali refugee community to observe projects and host communities led Save the Children. HRH also visited the Maratutu Education Centre (for refugees) and Child Friendly Space project for support to children affected in conflict and displacement. The Princess met facilitators, UNHCR Child Protection Programme Leads, and the Government of Uganda to deliver stability to the most vulnerable.

The Princess met many people who treasure this relationship, including scholars, businesses, officials from the Government of Uganda and representatives of many other charities. The reception served to highlight issues important to The Princess, including promoting conservation and ensuring the protection of Uganda’s refugee population.

Concluding project visits with Transaid and Sense International, HRH The Princess Royal visited Transaid, meeting women trainee HGV drivers taking part in the ‘Safe Way Right Way’ campaign, launched in 2013 in response to the demands for HGV drivers. Transaid’s work provides focus on road safety campaigns and provides inclusive access to employment for women while filling gaps in the transport sector.

Following the tragic fire at Salaama School for the Blind Monday, HRH the Princess Royal ended her visit by meeting representatives of Sense International and families it supports. HRH The Princess Royal made a personal tribute to the victims.

Distributed by APO Group for the British High Commission Kampala