March 20, 2025
3 mins read

Top Ugandan diplomat unveils new book in Delhi 

Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda’s book launch coincided with her birthday and Holi, the annual Indian festival of colour. 

Persevere and never give up are key to achieving life’s goals, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India repeatedly cites in her must-read autobiography, Triumph Over Adversity. 

Speaking at her official book launch at the Vasant Vihar Club in New Delhi, Her Excellency Professor Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda told guests about her life’s extraordinary journey so far. British journalist Dhiren Katwa, who travelled specially for this launch event, delivered his review of the book.   

Joyce was born in a remote village in western Uganda to peasant farmers Mr Erieza & Mrs Ednance who put her in school at a period when it was very unpopular to educate girls in Uganda.  Through hard work and determination, Joyce was able to join Gayaza High School – by then the best girls’ school in the country. Here she did her ordinary and advanced level secondary education. 

Thereafter she joined Makerere University where she studied BSc in Agriculture. Joyce excelled beyond imagination by gaining a First-Class Honours degree, becoming the first girl in Uganda to do so in any course. While at Makerere University, she met and fell in love with Joseph Kikafunda who was headed for Canada for his PhD studies. Because of her excellent performance, Joyce got a scholarship to do her Masters in Canada where she joined Joseph and they got married in 1977. After her studies in Canada, Joyce lived two years in Mexico and 8 years in Cameroon where Joseph was working for international agricultural research organisations. 

Fast-forward to 2012 when Uganda’s President, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni appointed Joyce as the High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK also Ireland; later to 8 other countries including Australia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives. Earlier this month, she presented her letters of credence to Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel, at a ceremony in Kathmandu. Nepal’s honorary consul in Uganda, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, has played a key role in fostering these ties. His appointment was a significant step in strengthening Nepal-Uganda relations, particularly in trade & investment. 

One major adversity Joyce grappled with for many years was childlessness – a taboo in African culture. But she later overcame it by her ‘never give up’ philosophy & her faith in ‘Mungu’ God. At the age of 60, she was blessed with her first child and at the age of 63 she was blessed with quadruplets. 

Joyce’s book launch coincided with her birthday and Holi, the annual Indian festival of colour. Chief guest was Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Foreign Affairs department. Master of ceremonies was Joyce’s right-hand man, Arthur Agaba. 

Guests included Mr Jatinder, Manpreet Singh from the Indian Chamber of International Business, High Commissioners to India representing Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Monaco, Rwanda, Namibia, Cameroon, Dr Mandeep Singh Chhatwal, Dr Ashma Begum, Vijay Saigal, Preeti Gupta, Vanshika Jindal, Joint Secretary from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Mayank Singh, Avinash Prasad, Girissh Bajaj, Deepak Babbar – to name just a few.   

Triumph Over Adversity: My Extraordinary Life’s Journey is available on Amazon and from international bookstores. 

Previous Story

Modi likely to visit Thailand for BIMSTEC Summit 

Next Story

India, Malaysia Push for Faster Asean FTA Review 

Latest from -Top News

‘Kill and Dump’ Haunts Balochistan Again

The latest killings have reignited accusations of extrajudicial executions and the use of counterterrorism laws to cover up custodial deaths in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News Concerns have deepened across Balochistan following the

‘ASEAN Expands, But Keeps Its Soul’

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged ASEAN to uphold its unity and strategic resolve amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and mounting external pressures…reports Asian Lite News Consensus and inclusivity will remain the cornerstones

Bangladesh bends to beat Trump’s blow

Dhaka seeks compromise as Trump’s 35% tariff looms large over key exports; Washington urges worker protections, factory relocation to US…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh has opened the second round of critical trade

China seethes as US lands F-35s in PH

As US F-35 jets land in the Philippines for the first time, Manila cements its frontline role in Washington’s power play against rising China….reports Asian Lite News The Philippines is rapidly cementing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Non-fossil fuels to generate 50% of India’s energy by 2030

This year the report also provides a first-of-its kind evaluation

‘Determined to Help Anybody Who’s in Distress’

Indian Navy Chief added that the Indian navy made the