The High Commissioner Jo Lomas delivering her speech, as State Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe looks on
Kigali: UK High Commission in Rwanda yesterday evening has commemorated the Queen’s Birthday, and the High Commissioner Jo Lomas said UK has provided £1bn of aid support Rwanda to help deliver the shared vision of greater prosperity and opportunity for citizens. Read below her message during the ceremony:
Good evening everyone and welcome to the Queen’s Birthday Party in Rwanda. Umugoroba Mwiza bashyitsi bahire, mbahaye ikaze ku munsi mukuri twizihizaho isabukuru y’Umwamikazi w’Ubwongereza mu Rwanda.Thank you to the Drum Major and drummers of First Battalion The Coldstream Guards for providing us with such an enthusiastic welcome. And thank you to Nicole Irakoze for her wonderful rendition of our anthems.
Whilst you are enjoying your drinks and canapés, I would like to inform you that, like all British Embassies and High Commissions around this world, this QBP is free from single use plastics. The global plastic-free agenda has seen Rwanda lead by example and we are proud tonight to do our bit to help keep Rwanda beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful Rwanda I have really enjoyed spending the last 18 months exploring this country, helped of course by the recent Diplomatic Excursion organised by MINAFETT. Now there is a saying that what goes on tour, stays on tour. So I will justsay that all Ambassadors returned safely despite some near heart attacks on the hikes, and that some Ministers and MINFETT staff have some very impressive dance moves, better than their kayaking skills given some ended up drinking the water of Lake Kivu.
It’s been a busy year since we last met for this occasion. We have commemorated 25 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi,100 years since the end of WW1 and this week the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings. We re-vowed never to forget those who have died as a result of war, conflict and genocide.
Rwanda has been a real supporter of many of UK priorities, including at the Disability Summit in London, the Girls Education Panel and the Africa Youth Forum. We are delighted that under Rwanda’ leadership the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement has now been brought into force. In sport, many of you will have cheered Arsenal on in the Europa League even if they
didn’t quite earn their Visit Rwanda sponsorship in the final. In March, Rwanda welcomed the Cricket World Cup trophy which is now being played out in the UK. Next
time round we hope Rwanda will be playing.
UK-Rwanda relations are underpinned by our development partnership. UK aid has helped lift 2 million people out of poverty since 2005. We have provided £1bn of aid support Rwanda, to help deliver our shared vision of greater prosperity and opportunity for its citizens. Our economic development team, working with the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Lord Popat, helps support Rwanda’s move from aid to trade. We provide 15 Chevening Masters scholarships to Rwandans each year and the UK’s Ministry of Defence currently supports the Rwanda Defence Force with counter-IED training and delivery of UN focused courses at the Rwanda Peace Academy.
Above all its been our pleasure this year to work as Commonwealth Chair in Office, to support Rwanda’s preparations for the Commonwealth Summit, otherwise known as CHOGM 2020 here in Kigali. Preparing for up to 53 Heads of State has not phased the enthusiastic bunch of MINAFETT and the Kigali Convention Bureau. This will be a fantastic opportunity for Rwanda to showcase what she has to offer and we look forward to working with her closely. And there is still a whole year to sort out the traffic, right Minister??!
In another example of close UK-Rwanda links, I wanted to inform you that the British Prime Minister has recognised Mike and Colette Hughes for their outstanding work founding the Rwanda UK Goodwill Organisation. Colette fled Rwanda at the age of eight, eventually meeting Mike in Swansea. RUGO, as it is known, has supported multiple projects to boost education and economic development, across Rwanda. The PM’s Points of Light award was announced to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the genocide and it is my pleasure here tonight to present them with that award.
Today is of course about celebrating the Queen’s Birthday. HM turned 93 this year and has now reigned with such great dignity for 67 years. She really is an amazing woman. In what I might modestly, describe as a tumultuous year in British politics, and on the day the PM steps down as party leader, the strength of the Monarchy and other great British institutions has ensured that checks and balance remain in place, and that the country has continued to run smoothly and efficiently.
So I would like to invite the Minister/PS to join me for a glass of English sparkling wine. Please all raise your glasses in a toast to Her Majesty the Queen, to HE President Paul Kagame and to the long lasting friendship between the British and Rwandan people. I would now like to invite the Hon Minister to say a few words. Now before I let the Minister go, I understand that it is not only HM who is celebrating her birthday this week. So we arranged a surprise for our guest of honour. Before I conclude, I would like to thank all our Rwandan friends and partners, my colleagues at the BHC who have organized this event, and our sponsors Bralirwa and 1000 Hills Distillery.
Our drummers are going to show off their skills again and then for the next 15 minutes or so you can have your photo taken with them by the big Union Jack at the entrance. I’d like to welcome our mostly British band, Injyana Jazz, who will play for you this evening. That leaves me only to wish you a very pleasant evening and to thank you for coming. Murakoze cyane, mugire umugoroba mwiza. (End)