More than 120 years ago, the idea of establishing a Jewish homeland in Uganda was proposed at the 6th Zionist Congress. Though history took another course, the seed planted in that moment of imagination and controversy has, in an expected way, borne fruit today. For the first time ever, Uganda’s Jewish community will be represented at the 39th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem.

This is a historic and emotional milestone for our community of all sects, spanning from reform, conservative, and orthodox traditions. We are proud to finally take our rightful place within the global Zionist family. Our community is a tapestry of rich tradition, deep faith, and unbreakable connection to the land and the people of Israel. For years, we have celebrated Jewish holidays, educated our children in Torah and Hebrew, and prayed for the peace and prosperity of Zion. Often in humble settings but always with profound devotion. We have long felt a part of the greater Jewish story. Now we can also help write it. 

This journey was not spontaneous. It began in 2018, when my Board and I started the process of registering a  Zionist Federation for Uganda.

In 2017, in the pivotal meeting with Kol Israel leaders Jesse Sultanik and David Yaari we dared to dream that Uganda’s Jewish Community would one day have a voice in the halls of Zionism. Today, that dream is being realized.

The establishment of the Zionist Federation of Uganda is not merely a formal achievement. It is a testament to the resilience and commitment of our Jewish community. It reflects our thirst to participate fully in the deliberations, decisions, and dreams of the Zionist movement not as distant spectators but as equal partners.

Our message to the world is simple: the Jewish people are one. Whether in Israel, the USA, the UK or Uganda, we are bound by shared destiny and a common hope. The Zionist Congress, a forum where Jewish voices of all backgrounds come together to shape the future, is richer and stronger when it includes the full diversity of our global Nation. As we prepare to travel to Jerusalem and raise our voices alongside delegates from around the world, we carry with us the prayers of our ancestors and the hopes of future generations. Uganda’s Jews are ready to contribute.