October 29, 2008
For Immediate Release
For more information: Aliia Galbraith, (801) 863-7191
University Marketing & Communications: Erin Spurgeon, (801) 863-6807
Written by: Hanna Hopkinson, (801) 863-7205
Utah Valley University’s office of International Affairs and Diplomacy, accompanied by the Ssejinja Foundation, will host Ugandan Ambassador Perezi Kamunanwire Oct. 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Lakeview Room of the new UVU library.
“Kamunanwire is coming as part of the ambassador program that we have at UVU,” said Rusty Butler, assistant vice president of international affairs. “We are excited to have him here. He will give students and the community a global perspective that they can’t get anywhere else.”
After addressing the audience, Kamunanwire will distribute humanitarian awards to local benefactors of the Ssejinja Foundation, created by former UVU student David Ssejinja, for their help in providing housing to Ugandan children whose parents have been affected with or died from AIDS. Butler is one recipient who will be honored at the event.
“It is a great foundation that was developed to help those who really need it,” Butler said.
Kamunanwire began his position as Uganda's ambassador to the United States in May of 2006. Prior to this post, he served as Uganda's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York and as ambassador to Germany.
After receiving his educated at Columbia University in New York, Kamunanwire taught at City College of the City University of New York, where he also directed programs in black studies and international relations. Starting in 2003, he served as an adjunct professor at the Center for Conflict Management and Organizational Research associated with Sophia University in Bulgaria.
Kamunanwire has written several scholarly articles in the field of international relations, co-edited the book “A Study Guide to Uganda” and contributed the preface to “We, the PanAfrikans: Essays on the Global Black Experience.”
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served after the speech, and parking will be provided.
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College Marketing Contact:
Erin Spurgeon
(801) 863-6807