Sudhir Steals Spotlight As French Community Lights Up Kingdom Kampala At Beaujolais Nouveau Fête

By Frank Kamuntu

The French community in Uganda transformed Kingdom Kampala into a vibrant hub of culture, business and festivity as more than 800 guests gathered for the 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau celebration — an evening in which business mogul Sudhir Ruparelia stood out among high-profile attendees.

Hosted by the Embassy of France and organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Uganda (FCCU), the annual event showcased the enduring charm of Beaujolais Nouveau, the young and fruity wine whose global release every November has become a cherished French tradition.

French Ambassador Virginie Leroy opened the evening with a warm welcome, describing the celebration as more than a wine-tasting ritual. “Beaujolais Nouveau is a symbol of joy and French cultural identity,” she noted, adding that the spirit of the event resonates worldwide, from “Tokyo to New York, Paris to Kampala.”

Leroy applauded the FCCU’s growing influence, highlighting that French companies continue to be Uganda’s largest private investors. She pointed to the rising business interest between the two nations and reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to nurturing partnerships through 2026 and beyond.

One of the most memorable moments of the night was the appearance of renowned Master Cheesemaker Grégory Giraudon, an award-winning French artisan. Giraudon is in Uganda to train local chefs through intensive sessions on cheese craftsmanship, presentation and gastronomy a hands-on contribution to enhancing Uganda’s hospitality sector. Ambassador Leroy hailed him as a “passionate ambassador of French cheese culture” and a living emblem of French excellence.

Guests revelled in wine tastings, gourmet French food and cultural showcases while diplomats, business leaders and members of the Ugandan-French community mingled in an atmosphere of lively exchange.

Raising a toast that perfectly captured the theme of the celebration, Ambassador Leroy declared France and Uganda “perfect complements like wine and cheese,” celebrating the long-standing friendship that continues to deepen between the two nations.