Six of Uganda’s diplomatic missions in Europe came together in Amsterdam this weekend to celebrate the country’s diaspora during the Euro Cranes Tournament, an annual football competition that has evolved into one of the strongest symbols of unity among Ugandans living abroad.
More than 750 people attended the event at Bijlmersportpark, where ten teams from across Europe and, for the first time, the United States competed. The US team marked its debut by winning the tournament, while Greece also made its first appearance, expanding a competition that began in Berlin in 2018 with just five teams.
For Uganda’s diplomatic missions, the gathering has become more than an embassy-led event; it is now a collective effort that reflects a shared commitment to engaging the diaspora. Ambassador Mirjam Blaak Sow, Uganda’s envoy to Brussels, hosted this year’s edition, welcoming fellow ambassadors who travelled from across Europe.
Ambassador Elizabeth Paula Napeyok, Uganda’s Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), flagged off Greece’s opening match on behalf of the participating missions.
“This tournament is more than a football competition,” Napeyok said. “It is a platform that strengthens the bonds among Ugandans living abroad, promotes friendship, nurtures talent, and reinforces our shared identity as proud Ugandans.”
She thanked the Brussels embassy for its hospitality and organisation and credited the collective efforts of Uganda’s diplomatic missions across Europe for sustaining the tournament’s growth. She also encouraged all players, including Greece’s debutants, to demonstrate discipline and fair play both on and off the pitch, describing them as ambassadors of Uganda in their own right.
Also attending were Ambassador Stephen Mubiru (Berlin), Ambassador Doreen Amule (Paris), Ambassador Margaret M. Otteskov (Copenhagen), and High Commissioner Nimisha Madhvani (London). Organisers said the strong diplomatic presence underscored the importance Uganda places on engaging its diaspora communities across Europe.
Beyond the football, officials described the tournament as part of broader efforts to keep Ugandans abroad connected to their homeland at a time when the diaspora is playing an increasingly significant role in the country’s economy. According to Bank of Uganda data, remittances reached US$2.5 billion in 2025, with the United States accounting for the largest share.
The tournament concluded on Sunday with the United States lifting the trophy in its maiden appearance, a result organisers said reflected the expanding footprint of Uganda’s global diaspora. Germany will host the 2027 edition, continuing a rotation that has taken the tournament across Europe since its launch in 2018.
