📸 IN PICTURES: Colourful celebrations at Bastille Day

FRANCE | BASTILLE | DAY 

KAMPALA - Celebrations for the Bastille Day in Uganda were marked with dancing, plenty of food and drinks. 

Talent Africa, a band that plays Congolese music entertained the guests while DJ Sarah dazzled the audience with her skills in mixing and playing music.

July 14, is the National Day of France held to commemorate the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress for political prisoners and freeing. (All Photos by Hajarah Nalwadda)

President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest at the event and was represented by the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja. 

It was held on Thursday (July 14) at Nakasero at the residence of the French ambassador to Uganda. 

President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest at the event and was represented by the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja.

Nabbanja while addressing the guests said that Uganda was a beneficiary of France’s struggle for independence which took place 231 years ago. 

The president said that when Uganda got independence in 1962, France was at hand to support the young nation. 

Several dignitaries attended the event.

July 14, is the National Day of France held to commemorate the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress for political prisoners and freeing. 

Bastille symbolised the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy under King Louis XVI. However, on July 14, 1789, the French swore that enough was enough with a bad rule. 

Celebrations for the Bastille Day in Uganda were marked with dancing, plenty of food and drinks.

The taking of the Bastille signalled the beginning and turning point of the French Revolution of 1789. 

“Uganda and France enjoy cordial relations, friendship and mutual relations. We have many things to celebrate in our friendship,” Museveni said. 

The French Ambassador to Uganda Jules-Armand Aniambossou said the last time the day was in Uganda was in 2019 and thereafter COVID-19 hit the world. 

“Despite a courageous policy to fight against this virus, Uganda has not been spared. It is with a certain emotion that I think of all those, French and Ugandan, who have left us and I wish to pay tribute to them.”

He said that the values of liberty and equality carried by the French Revolution of 1789 have become universal and the third component motto of the French Republic Fraternity. 

He added that Bastille Day still represents a call for liberty, equality and a democratic move to establish a government. 

He explained that Uganda and France are two countries that are getting to know each other, and it is the story of an understanding that has been built on a balanced and respectful relationship. 

“Our two countries have this in common; they want to contribute to the stability and growth of Africa, but above all, they trust Africans to carry out this ambition. We have the ambition to found an Africa France Entrepreneurs Community,” he said. 

He encouraged local entrepreneurs to join the Kampala Business Club, and to exchange with French Trade advisors to strengthen economic relationship strengthens. 

He promised that he would connect Uganda to the France International Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost bilateral economic relations. 

“France and Uganda have in common a Pan-Africanism of progress that wishes to place Africa in its rightful place in the world, that of a young, dynamic, enterprising and open continent. And Uganda is a key player in the process of socio-economic transformation of the continent,” Aniambossou said.