Ugandans in Tanzania celebrate heritage with inaugural diaspora convention run
Dar es Salaam. In a vivid and spirited celebration of national identity and community solidarity, more than 300 Ugandans congregated at dawn along Msasani Road in Oyster Bay for the inaugural Uganda Diaspora Convention Run.
Held on the sidelines of the first-ever Uganda Diaspora Convention in Tanzania, the run served as both a cultural festivity and a symbol of resilience and unity among Ugandans living abroad.
Organised by the Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam, in partnership with the Association of the Ugandan Community in Tanzania (AUCT), the event featured competitive 10KM and 15KM races. Regan Allen emerged victorious in the 10KM category with an impressive time of 37:32:05, while Mussa Rajab triumphed in the 15KM run, clocking in at 38:20:02.
The two champions were awarded flight tickets, courtesy of Air Uganda, granting them the honour of representing the diaspora at the upcoming Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese, Uganda, slated for 23 August 2025.
Addressing the participants and dignitaries, Ambassador General Colonel (Retired) Fred Mwesigye reflected on the symbolic and practical significance of the event:
“All these activities are aimed at bringing us together, to bind us together, to network and to know each other better. So it's a good exercise; the running makes us fit both in the body and in the mind, which is really good for every human being. Tanzania and Uganda are brothers built from blood shed in the Kagera War, and Mwalimu Nyerere then aided our army—some things we will always remember.”
The run preceded the Uganda Diaspora Convention, which took place on 23 May 2025 under the theme “Harnessing the Diaspora Potential for Socio-economic Transformation: Strengthening Uganda-Tanzania Ties.” The convention brought together a cross-section of Ugandan diaspora members, senior government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners, fostering dialogue and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating growth and bilateral cooperation.
The inaugural run not only showcased athletic excellence but also served as a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between the Ugandan people—both at home and abroad—and their historic allies in Tanzania.
