Published on 01/09/2025
The Pan African Pyramid (PAP) on Saturday hosted the 8th PAP Global Awards and its 11th Anniversary dinner at Fairway Hotel, Kampala an event that drew together celebrated Pan-African leaders, diplomats, and activists from across the globe in a historic call for African unity.
The colorful evening was graced by Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and former Speaker of Parliament, representing the Government of Uganda. Delegations came from as far as Libya, Zimbabwe, Kenya, USA, France, and Algeria, highlighting PAP’s growing continental and diaspora reach.
Among the notable dignitaries were HE Ambassador Abdelsla E. A. Elrgeey and Mr. Mohamed N. O. Alkruti from the Libyan Government, Bishop Joshua Marara Maponga III from Zimbabwe, Gerishom Okonda from Kenya, Ayo Kimathi from the USA, Hon. Mukasa Mbidde, Uganda’s Democratic Party Vice President and former EALA MP, Thomas Lissafre from France, and Prof. Humphrey Jeremiah Ojwang from Kenya.
Libya Commends Uganda–Libya Relations
Speaking on behalf of Libya, Ambassador Abdelsla praised Uganda’s long-standing relations with his country, noting the shared sacrifices during Africa’s liberation struggles. He pledged Libya’s support to PAP’s mission of advancing Pan-Africanism and commended PAP Speaker Andrew Irumba Katusabe for championing youth-driven Pan-African activism.
Irumba, in turn, hailed Libya’s role as “the river of a free Africa” while calling on all Pan-Africanists to unite against anti-African forces destabilizing Libya and plundering its resources since the fall of Col. Muammar Gaddafi.
Kadaga’s Call: “Why Must Africans Require Visas?”
In her keynote address, Rt. Hon. Kadaga reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to Pan-African ideals. She cited ongoing fieldwork in Moroto and cross-border agreements signed in Kisumu, Kenya, as examples of regional cooperation. With a pointed challenge, she asked:
“Why must Africans require visas to enter other African countries?”
Her remarks struck a chord with diplomats, youth leaders, and activists in attendance, who applauded her call for Africa-led solutions to Africa’s challenges.
Kampala Declaration Sealed
The evening reached its climax with the signing of the Kampala Declaration, a visionary pact endorsed by the Libyan delegation and other dignitaries. The declaration lays out a bold framework for achieving the United States of Africa (USA).
Key commitments include:
- Visa-Free Africa: Guaranteeing free movement for all Africans at home and in the Diaspora.
- Borderless Africa: Removing artificial boundaries to boost trade, travel, and cultural exchange.
- One Standby Force for Africa: A united continental security mechanism to safeguard sovereignty, wealth, and cultural integrity.
Kadaga urged that the declaration should “reignite the aspirations of the people for a United States of Africa.”
Irumba’s Pan-African Challenge
In his speech, Andrew Irumba challenged Africans to rise above colonial legacies that divided the continent:
“If the few colonialists managed to confuse our kings and divide Africa, how can billions of educated Africans today fail to rescue themselves from those chains?”
He cited ongoing wars in the DRC, South Sudan, Sudan, and Central African Republic as examples of instability fueled by external exploitation of African resources.
Celebrating Africa’s Icons
The night concluded with a powerful dinner and awards honouring individuals and institutions who have made outstanding contributions to the Pan-African struggle.
Awardees included:
- The Libyan Government: Most Distinguished Pan-African of All Times Award
- Dan Rugarama (Uganda): Chairman, Pan African Movement UG Chapter
- Prof. George William Alenyo (Uganda): African Renaissance Award (Civil Rights Lawyer)
- The Algerian Government: Most Distinguished Pan-African of All Times Award
- Prof. Humphrey Jeremiah Ojwang (Kenya): Africa Educationist & Environmentalist Award
- Gerishom Okonda (Kenya): African Renaissance Leader (Education) Award
- Ayo Kimathi (USA): African Renaissance (Philosopher) Award
- Tendo Ronex (Uganda): African Renaissance Award
