PHOTOS: “My juice is red but not political”, EU Envoy’s Joke Lights up Diplomat-Studded AU–EU Reception

Away from the weighty speeches on peace, prosperity and the future of AU–EU cooperation in which the words “reaffirm” and “pledge” took centre stage, the diplomat-packed reception at the residence of EU Ambassador Jan Sadek offered an unexpected moment of comic relief.

EU Ambassador Jan Sadek addressing guests at the reception hosted at his residence as the AU and European bloc marked 25 years of partnership

While proposing a toast, Amb. Sadek held up a glass of bright red watermelon juice and quipped:
“My juice is red, but it has no political affiliations.”

The line instantly cracked up the entire room, with diplomats bursting into laughter.

Amb. John L. Mugerwa, Head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (L) interacts with U.S. Ambassador to Uganda William Popp

Those familiar with Uganda’s political colour codes caught the joke immediately: the red juice mirroring the National Unity Platform’s colour, while yellow, represented by Ambassadors John Mugerwa and Joseph Rutabana’s glass of mango juice, evoked the NRM’s signature shade. For a brief moment, Uganda’s political colours were just that; colours in a glass, not a contest.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Joseph Rutabana (L) and EU Ambassador to Uganda

The event held last Wednesday, put the icing on the cake of an earlier discussion organised by EU in Uganda under the auspices of the Uganda Council for Foreign Relations.

Mr Robel Admassu, Head of the Political Affairs at the Embassy of Ethiopia in Kampala

It was part of events lined up in the run up to the 7th AU-EU anniversary partnership that is underway in Luanda, Angola.

Amb. John L. Mugerwa (L) talks to India’s High Commissioner to Uganda Upender Singh Rawat

The good-natured banter was a refreshing break from discussions around migration, peacebuilding, youth empowerment and the AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.

Amokrane Mourad, the Ambassador of Algeria to Uganda

It reminded attendees that diplomacy, too, has room for humour.

Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda Signe Winding Albjerg (in white outfit) also graced the occassion. Denmark currently holds the EU Presidency

The reception drew a diverse and high-profile crowd, including diplomats from Ethiopia, Algeria, South Sudan, Egypt, India, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, and the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp.

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Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, Uganda’s former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister

French Ambassador to Uganda Virginie Leroy

The light moment added an unexpected sparkle to an evening otherwise defined by strategic conversations and forward-looking speeches.

Abdi Latif Ali, Deputy Ambassador of Somalia to Uganda (L) chats with Italian ambassador to Uganda, Mauro Massoni

Egyptian ambassador to Uganda Monzer Selim (L) chats with Denmark’s envoy Signe Winding Albjerg

Leaders at the Luanda summit are expected to deliberate on trade, security, energy, digital transformation, and migration as both continents seek to modernize and stabilise their long-standing partnership.

EU Deputy Head of Mission to Uganda is Guillaume Chartrain (C) with Ambassadors Joseph Rutabana and Virginie Leroy

The most recent EU–AU Summit was held on 17–18 February 2022 in Brussels, where leaders from both continents adopted a joint vision for a renewed partnership.

L-R; Amb. James Mugume, former PS at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joseph Rutabana and Simon Kasyate

If the AU–EU partnership is built on dialogue, cooperation and shared values, then Wednesday night proved it also thrives on shared laughter.

Members of the Ethiopian and South Sudan missions in Uganda at the event

UCFR’s Ambassador Francis Katana (L) with Mr Robel Admassu from the Ethiopian Embassy, exchange ideas

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