The scent of roasted coffee and burning incense lingered in the air at Sheraton Hotel as guests gathered for an iftar dinner hosted by the Ethiopian Embassy in Kampala. Diplomats, religious leaders, Ugandan officials and members of the Ethiopian community came together to break the Ramadan fast in an evening shaped by tradition, hospitality and shared faith.
For a moment, the setting carried musical echoes of Addis Ababa. The dinner was hosted by Ambassador Zaganet Bezabih-Yemenu, who brought together Ethiopian Muslims living in Uganda alongside Ugandan friends and leaders.
“This is an authentic Ethiopian iftar dinner,” the ambassador said while welcoming guests. “It is important for us to gather our Ethiopian community and connect them with the Ugandan community. Our peoples have historical ties and cultural similarities.”
The evening blended diplomacy with culture. Guests sat in a traditional Ethiopian style arrangement that reflected how families often gather back home during Ramadan. Before the meal, attention turned to one of Ethiopia’s most treasured traditions of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
For Ethiopians, coffee carries meaning beyond the cup. It is ritual, conversation and community. Robel Admasu, Head of Political Affairs at the Ethiopian Embassy, explained that coffee ceremonies have long been a space where people come together to talk, exchange ideas and strengthen social ties.
“Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia,” he said. “But we do not only drink coffee. Families and friends gather, they sit together, discuss issues and share stories.” Coffee beans were roasted before guests, ground and brewed as incense burned nearby. Traditional cups were arranged in small rows while guests watched the process.
Three cups are shared during the ceremony. The first is strong, the second milder and the third largely symbolic. “There is even a saying,” Admasu added with a smile. “If you arrive when people are drinking the third cup, it means you will become a successful merchant.”
Alongside the coffee, guests sampled traditional snacks made from sorghum and wheat flour, wrapped in leaves of the false banana plant. As the time to break the fast approached, prayers were offered and reflections shared about Ethiopia’s historic place in Islamic tradition.
Uganda’s Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammed Ali Waswa who attended the dinner, reminded guests that Ethiopia holds a special place in the story of Islam. He recalled that Ethiopia was the first country to offer refuge to early Muslims during the time of Prophet Muhammad when they fled persecution in Mecca.
“Ethiopia is a hospitable nation,” he said. “It welcomed Muslims at the early stage of Islam, and that history continues to connect our communities today.” He thanked the ambassador for hosting the gathering and said such occasions strengthen relationships between communities.
“This kind of gathering allows us to come closer to one another and strengthen our bonds,” he said. When the fast was broken, guests were served a spread of traditional Ethiopian dishes prepared by Ethiopian chefs.
Several guests remarked that the flavours carried the unmistakable taste of home. Salim Uhuru, Mayor of Kampala, said the evening had been both memorable and welcoming.
“It felt like we were in Ethiopia tonight,” he said. “The food was delicious and everything was prepared perfectly. I thank the ambassador and the Ethiopian people for this warm hospitality.”
For Ambassador Bezabih-Yemenu, the evening reflected a broader purpose. Since arriving in Uganda, she said she has been keen on strengthening people-to-people connections between Ethiopians and Ugandans.
“When I first came to Uganda, one of my priorities was building people-to-people relations,” she said. “Bringing the Ethiopian community closer to the Ugandan community is very important.”
This year’s gathering was larger than the previous one, which had been held at the ambassador’s residence. Hosting it at Sheraton allowed more community members and guests to attend.
The evening closed the same way it had begun- over cups of Ethiopian coffee. Guests lingered in conversation, sharing stories and laughter as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee rose once more from the small traditional cups. For a few hours, culture, faith and friendship had drawn two communities closer around one table.
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