By Spy Uganda
Kathmandu, Nepal: Uganda has officially strengthened its diplomatic ties with Nepal following the appointment of Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda as the country’s new envoy.
On March 6, Prof. Kikafunda presented her letters of credence to Nepal’s President, Rt. Hon. Ramchandra Paudel, at a ceremony in Kathmandu, marking the beginning of her tenure as Uganda’s envoy to Nepal.
The diplomatic relationship between Uganda and Nepal has seen steady growth over the years, with both countries working together in areas such as trade, governance, and economic development. Uganda has shown interest in learning from Nepal’s federal governance system, while Nepal is keen on Uganda’s expertise in agriculture and natural resource management. This exchange of knowledge and collaboration is expected to deepen under Prof. Kikafunda’s leadership.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Uganda, has played a key role in fostering these ties. His appointment as Honorary Consul was a significant step in strengthening Nepal-Uganda relations, particularly in trade and investment.
With Uganda now officially appointing an envoy to Nepal, Dr. Ruparelia’s influence and efforts in bridging diplomatic and economic interests between the two nations have become more evident.
Speaking about the significance of Prof. Kikafunda’s appointment, Dr. Ruparelia emphasized that this move is expected to boost bilateral cooperation, particularly in business, cultural exchange, and mutual development initiatives.
Profile: Who is Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda?
Prof. Joyce Kikafunda is a seasoned academic and diplomat with a wealth of experience in governance, international relations, and development work. Before her appointment as Uganda’s Ambassador to Nepal, she served in various capacities, including as Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland.
She is widely recognized for her expertise in agriculture, education, and food security, having spent decades working on policies to improve livelihoods, especially in rural communities. Prof. Kikafunda is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and poverty reduction, areas that align well with Nepal’s development agenda.
Her background in academia and public service makes her an excellent choice to represent Uganda in Nepal, a country that shares similar economic and governance challenges. With her leadership, Uganda anticipates strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, education, and governance, ensuring that both nations benefit from this renewed diplomatic engagement.
As Uganda and Nepal continue to build stronger relations, Prof. Kikafunda’s appointment signals a new chapter of enhanced diplomatic and economic collaboration between the two countries.
