By Spy Uganda
The Cuban Ambassador to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi Plenipotentiary, Her Excellency Tania Perez Xingues bid farewell last night at a cocktail organized at the Embassy offices in Mbuya, Kampala jointly meant to celebrate Uganda-Cuba 50 years of seamless diplomatic relations between the two brotherly countries. Ambassador Tania used the same occasion to bid farewell to her long-time Ugandan friends and diplomatic community.
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The farewell cocktail party event attracted dignitaries, including Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Okello Oryem, and State Minister for Higher Education, Chrisistome John Muyingo, alongside members of the diplomatic community and Ambassador Tania’s long-standing Ugandan friends. Guests celebrated the enduring ties between the two nations while bidding goodbye to an ambassador deeply admired for her dedication and engagement.
Some of the Ambassadors who graced the dinner event included the newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda Ambassador JOHN SHAMA SHAGA, the Venezuelan Ambassador, H.E Fatima Fernandez, South Africa’s Lulu XingwanaA, lgeria’s H.E AMOKRANE MOURAD, The European Union Deputy head of delegation, GUILLAUME CHARTRAIN, among others.Â
Ambassador Tania expressed gratitude to her Ugandan counterparts and friends, highlighting the shared history and collaboration between the two countries in sectors such as education, health, and cultural exchange. The night was filled with emotional tributes, with some guests unable to hold back tears as they reflected on Tania’s impactful tenure.
The 50-year milestone of Uganda-Cuba relations symbolizes a legacy of solidarity, with Cuba providing scholarships to Ugandan students and extending expertise in medicine and other fields. The farewell cocktail was not just a goodbye but a celebration of lasting ties between two “brotherly” nations.
The evening concluded with a sense of pride and renewed commitment to strengthening Uganda-Cuba relations for generations to come.
In his remarks, Minister Oryem discussed Uganda’s relations with Cuba, saying that the two countries have enjoyed robust bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974.
”Cuba has provided numerous scholarships for Ugandan students, especially in medical and technical fields, and has deployed Cuban doctors to support Uganda’s healthcare system. The relationship reflects solidarity rooted in shared histories of struggle against imperialism and colonialism, fostering a spirit of mutual support between the two nations,” said Minister Oryem.
He added that a notable milestone in their collaboration is the construction of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). ”Established in 1989, the university was part of Uganda’s broader effort to expand access to higher education in science and technology. Cuban architects and engineers collaborated with Ugandan authorities to design and build the institution, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s education sector.”
In fact, today, MUST is renowned for its emphasis on health sciences and technology, training professionals critical to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
”Cuba has played a significant role in supporting African revolutionary movements, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, as part of its broader foreign policy of solidarity with liberation struggles worldwide. Under the leadership of Fidel Castro, Cuba provided military, logistical, and moral support to anti-colonial and anti-apartheid movements across the continent,” added Oryem.
He said Cuban troops were notably involved in Angola, where they supported the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) during the Angolan Civil War and against South African apartheid forces. ”This intervention was crucial in securing Angola’s independence and bolstering efforts to dismantle apartheid in South Africa.”
Brief About Tania Perez
Ambassador Tania was born on 12 July 1970, in Havana, Cuba’s capital and largest city. She graduated from Medicine, University of Medical Sciences of Havana, 1994 and she also holds a Diploma in Health Care Management (2001) a diploma from the National Defense College (2006), Master’s Degree in International Relations, Raúl Roa GarcÃa Higher Institute of International Relations, Havana.
She worked as a Doctor at Van Troi Polyclinic, Havana, Cuba, from 1994-1995. Furthermore, she was a Member of the National People’s Power Assembly from 1995-1998 and the secretary of the Health, Sports, and Environment Committee of the National People’s Power Assembly.
In 1998-1999 she was director of the Wilfredo Santana Polyclinic, La Habana del Este, Havana and from 1999-2002 she was Municipal Health Director of La Habana del Este, Havana.
From 2002-2005 she was the National Director of Outpatient Services, the Ministry of Public Health and 2005-2008 she was president of the Municipal Assembly and Administration Council of La Habana del Este, Havana, Cuba.
From 2008-2012 she was the official of the International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Then from 2012-2016 she was the First Secretary of the Embassy of Cuba in South Africa and from 2016- to November 2021 she was Director of the Passports and Procedures Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Since November 2021 Ambassador has been a representative of Cuba to Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.
Pan African Pyramid will remember Tania for forging a working relationship with Cuban Government on Pan Africanism Agenda, which Tania herself has been its midwife. “We will dearly miss her, because she has been a pilar in our Pan Africanism Agenda. She has been attending most of our PAP Global Awards, and recently she delivered to us a commitment letter from Cuba on her return, confirming our working relationship. Most of all, in the letter also contained appreciation message from Fidel Castrol’s family for recognizing and awarding him in the previous PAP Global Awards,” said the founding Speaker and Chairman Andrew Irumba Katusabe when asked for a comment.
Pictorial Below
Tania’s Speech
50th Anniversary Uganda-Cuba.
Good evening! Honorable Henry Oryem Okello, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, one the best Ugandan friend of Cuba and recently awarded with ICAP 60th ANNIVERSARY SEAL by the Cuban authorities.
Honorable Dr. John C. Muyingo, State Minister of Higher Education of Uganda who visited Cuba this year. Honorable Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Honorary Consuls, Parliamentarians, all Ugandan Friends,
Good evening again,
Once again, we are here to celebrate the historical friendship and partnership between Uganda and Cuba.
On May 9, 1974 the governments of Uganda and Cuba established the diplomatic relations, that’s why we have been celebrating this year the 50th anniversary of our excellent diplomatic alliance and also the Cuba-Mbarara University is celebrating 35 years.
Before to give a floor to the Honorable Okello, would like to recognize that last year the government of Uganda reopened the Embassy in Havana, as an important step to renewal the bilateral relations. At the same time, high-level visits between both countries carried out, namely: Vice-presidents and Foreign Ministers of both countries, and Minister of Science of Uganda, State Minister of Education and Ugandan Health Parliamentary Committee visited Cuba.
In the area of political cooperation, it is also worth highlighting the constitution of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both legislative bodies, the strengthening of relations between the ruling parties, and the communication actions between youth and student organizations of both countries. We should also stand out the development of the National Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba in January of this year 2024.
From November 2022 to date, 11 Cooperation Agreements have been signed in terms of Counter-Trade Agreement, currently being implemented and the most important mechanism to push the economic and trade bilateral cooperation; it was established a mechanism on the political consultation between both Foreign Ministries, both Science Ministries decided to promote relations on science, technology and innovation and we are already working today in bilateral projects on the biotechnology area.
In addition, we signed the MOU in terms of the Technical and Vocational Education, between Chambers of Commerce, Olympic Committees, with Private Ugandan Companies and between four Cuban higher education institutions with Ugandan Christian University and Ugandan Management Institute.
But it has been just the beginning. Now our challenges are to expand our areas on bilateral collaboration, to finish the agreements under negotiation and to ensure the full implementation of the already signed agreements, mainly to push the relations in terms of economic and trade, biotechnology, education and sports.
Allow me to the thank to all of you, your hospitality and support during our journey here in Uganda, and also to say officially good bye today from one of the most beautiful Kampala views.
Thank you again for being here with us today. Our best wishes to all of you, your family, Uganda people and Ugandan government in 2025. Also, our best wishes to the friendship between Uganda and Cuba.
It is my pleasure to invite to Honorable Oryem Okello to address us. 
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