KAMPALA — American-based Pan-Africanist Ayo Kimathi has arrived in Uganda ahead of the ninth Pan-African Pyramid (PAP) Global Awards, bringing with him a message he says will challenge Africans to confront emerging forms of external control over the continent.

Kimathi landed at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday and was received by a Pan-African Pyramid delegation headed by the organisation’s founding Speaker and chairman, Andrew Irumba Katusabe.

His arrival comes just days before the PAP Global Awards, scheduled for Saturday, August 29, at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where he is expected to speak about what he calls a new form of colonialism.

Kimathi urged Africans to attend the event, saying the gathering should provide an opportunity for people to critically examine the forces shaping the continent’s political, economic and social future.

Rather than viewing colonialism only through its historical lens, Kimathi said Africans should pay attention to contemporary forms of influence that could undermine the continent’s control over its resources, sovereignty and decision-making.

He said his address in Kampala would focus on what he described as “new colonialism” and encourage Africans to become more conscious of the forces influencing the direction of their countries.

The Pan-Africanist’s arrival has also signalled the start of the arrival of international participants expected for the annual awards, which attract political leaders, academics, businesspeople, civil society representatives and Pan-African activists from Africa and the diaspora.

Katusabe welcomed Kimathi to Uganda, saying preparations for the ceremony had entered their final phase and more international guests were expected to arrive before the weekend.

He said the continued arrival of delegates was adding momentum to an event organisers hope will provide a platform for discussing issues beyond the recognition of outstanding individuals.

The PAP Global Awards are organised annually by the Pan-African Pyramid, an organisation that promotes Pan-Africanism, patriotism, nationalism and intellectual engagement on matters affecting the continent.

The awards recognise individuals and institutions regarded by the organisers as having made notable contributions to Africa’s development, unity and transformation.

One of the major moments at this year’s ceremony will be the posthumous recognition of the late Rajiv Ruparelia with a Humanitarian Award.

The award will honour Ruparelia’s contribution to humanitarian initiatives, social development and community transformation, according to the organisers.

His recognition is expected to form part of the broader message of the awards, which seek to celebrate African personalities whose work has extended beyond personal or professional success to impact communities.

With international delegates continuing to arrive in Kampala, this year’s PAP Global Awards are shaping up as both a recognition ceremony and a forum for wider debate about Africa’s position in an increasingly contested global environment.

Kimathi’s intervention is expected to place particular emphasis on sovereignty, self-determination and economic independence, issues that have remained central to Pan-African thought.

As the August 29 ceremony approaches, attention will therefore shift from the arrival of guests to the ideas and debates they bring with them, with organisers positioning the gathering as an opportunity for Africans to reflect on the continent’s future and its place in the changing world order.

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