This week, The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence have carried out a four-day visit to Uganda.
We’re taking a look at some of the engagements the royal couple have carried out over the last few days.
Starting off their visit to the country, Princess Anne and her husband visited the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit. They heard about the unit’s strengthened research capacity, both in Africa and worldwide, and how they contribute to a strong health policy environment for the improved control of infectious and non-communicable diseases.
On the first day of the visit, the couple visited the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. (UK in Uganda)
Anne and Tim visited the Unit’s state-of-the-art laboratories that allow scientists to collaborate on studies into the control of existing and emerging infectious diseases, which are of a growing health concern across Africa.
In the evening, the late Queen’s only-daughter hosted a dinner for the President of Uganda.
I was hosted to a dinner by Her Royal Highness, Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kampala. We talked about the different patronages she has come to support here. I welcome her and wish her good luck. pic.twitter.com/XjDB73qiA5
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) October 26, 2022
On the second day, the Princess opened an Opportunity Bank branch at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement UNHCR Base Camp. It was the charity’s first bank in a refugee settlement and Princess Anne met representatives from the charity; Anne is Patron of Opportunity International.
HRH met the staff who work for Opportunity Bank Uganda. (Opportunity Bank Uganda).
Speaking during the opening of the bank, The Princess Royal said: ‘Uganda is a remarkable country in the way it welcomes and treats the refugees that come here.’
She added: ‘This adds enormously to what they can gain from a very unfortunate set of circumstances, but importantly without affecting the host communities and they will be of mutually beneficial to both communities and having had the opportunity to talk to some today the variety of skills and investments just shows what can be achieved’.
The Princess Royal opened the charity’s first bank in a refugee settlement. (Opportunity Bank Uganda)
The couple met then members of the Wenzetu Women’s Group to discuss how Opportunity International has helped families of people with disabilities.
HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne sharing a light moment with Mr. Katey Assem Opportunity International Board Member and Chairman of Opportunity Savings and Loans Ghana at a dinner last evening held at the Serena hotel kampala. @oi_uk @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/NpMBH0eRdc
— Opportunity Bank Uganda Limited (@Opportunity_UG) October 27, 2022
Day three saw the royal couple visit the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement to learn about the impact that the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has had on children’s lives. Princess Anne was visiting in her role as Patron of Save the Children UK – a charity she has supported for over 50 years.
The couple visited a refugee settlement. (Save the Children)
Her Royal Highness visited a school in the Settlement where she joined a Save the Children Catch-up Club and took part in an activity with children to work together and build a story from pictures.
The Princess also met some of the children who have fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the Congo and are being supported by Save the Children’s child protection activities at a Child Friendly Space.
The Princess Royal is Patron of Save the Children UK. (Save the Children)
On her final day as Patron of Sense International, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Princess Royal visited its Head Office in Kampala, where Her Royal Highness had the chance to meet charity representatives and families it supports.
She was intended to visit the Salama School for the Blind, but it suffered a fire ahead of the visit, where 11 children died. The Princess Royal had the opportunity to pay her respects to those affected.
It was delightful to host our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal at Sense Uganda Head Office early this morning.
A moment of silence was observed in honor of the tragic loss of the young lives at Salama School for the Blind. pic.twitter.com/H7dgmpqVFZ
— Sense International Uganda (@SenseUganda) October 28, 2022
Her Royal Highness shared the following message, following the tragedy: ‘I was shocked to hear the news of the tragic loss of life. The work of Sense International across many countries is hugely appreciated, working with such a vulnerable group of children. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and staff.’
