Sudhir Ruparelia Marks Nepal’s Constitution Day with Kampala Celebration

Inside the Crane Chambers in Kampala, Honorary Consul of Nepal in Uganda, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, hosted a celebration marking Nepal’s Constitution Day, blending cultural symbolism with Ugandan hospitality. Though the official observance fell on September 19, Ruparelia’s team held the event three days later, highlighting the connection between Nepal’s journey to democracy and Uganda’s own post-conflict constitutional experience.

The centerpiece of the gathering was a ceremonial cake iced in Nepal’s crimson-and-blue tricolour, streaked with chocolate, which Ruparelia cut while dressed in his signature white attire, flanked by staff representing the country’s cosmopolitan workforce.

The celebration was designed to underscore shared values of resilience and nation-building. According to the Consul, the gesture was “about resilience and shared values,” drawing a parallel between Nepal’s transformation from a Hindu monarchy to a federal democratic republic in 2015 and Uganda’s own experience of constitutional development following decades of conflict.

The event fused corporate and cultural aesthetics, with table settings, plates, and napkins reflecting both formal business and festive sensibilities, while the menu combined Nepali snacks with local mandazi to symbolize the exchange between Himalayan and East African traditions.

Nepal’s constitutional journey has been turbulent. For centuries ruled by Shah monarchs, the country endured decades of political upheaval, including a Maoist insurgency from 1996 to 2006. The 2015 Constitution, drafted after the devastating April earthquake, sought to institutionalize secularism, multiparty democracy, and a federal system recognizing historically marginalized groups such as Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, and Tharus.

While the charter remains a milestone, critics argue that federal provisions are underfunded, border regions feel neglected, and protests have erupted periodically, particularly in the Terai plains. Amendments and judicial scrutiny continue to test Nepal’s political institutions.

Despite these challenges, Nepal’s cultural heritage remains vibrant. Festivals such as Dashain and Tihar, traditional foods like sel roti, intricate Kathmandu Valley woodcarvings, and syncretic Hindu-Buddhist shrines illustrate a society where culture and politics are deeply intertwined. Ruparelia’s Kampala event reflected this integration, connecting the symbolism of Nepalese tradition with lessons in governance, civic engagement, and resilience relevant to Uganda.

The ceremony also complemented a scholarship initiative facilitated by the Nepali Consulate and embassy, aimed at connecting Ugandan and Nepali youth. By hosting Constitution Day in Kampala, Ruparelia created a platform that celebrated cross-cultural dialogue, highlighted shared narratives of rebuilding, and demonstrated how private sector leadership can promote international understanding.

In essence, the event was more than a cake-cutting ceremony; it served as a symbolic bridge linking the Himalayan and East African experiences of overcoming political adversity and pursuing inclusive nationhood.