Meeting of Ugandans in North America Stresses Development and Economic Opportunity | Voice of America - English
In August, about two thousand people are expected to attend the annual convention of Ugandans living in the USA, Canada and Mexico. They're part of the UNAA ? Uganda North America Association. The group meets every year to discuss culture and other topics. This year's conference will be held in Orlando, Florida. From Kampala, Voice of America English to Africa Service's Peterson Ssendi reports that Bulayimu Muwanga Kibirige is the chairman of the BMK business group, which has its headquarters in Kampala.
Kibirige says [At these meetings] "Ugandansfrom home and other parts of the world discuss politics [and] business, andevery evening there is good entertainment. It has become very traditional andif you miss it, I think you will regret it. I always participate in businessdiscussions? some people have stayed in America for more than 20 years and theydon't know that [Uganda] has changed." George MichaelMukula is National Vice Chairman of Uganda's ruling National ResistanceMovement, or NRM-O, in charge of Uganda's Eastern Region. He's also the chairman of UgandaAirways, "I have attended a number ofthese UNAA Conventions?my wife and children do enjoy these conventions and I amlooking forward to attending this (year's) convention." Delegates also talk politics.Uganda's opposition is there to seek financial and political support.Meanwhile, Presidential press aid Tamale Mirundi says that the government sendsrepresentatives to the conventions to help counter what he says is "anegative political picture" of Uganda in the West spread by the oppositionparties. Amongthe scheduled topics are land reform, and the war in northern Uganda. George MikeMukula praises the UNAA Convention participants and organizers for infusing theorganization with a spirit of unity, patriotism, and Pan-Africanism. He saysthe group has also proven its commitment to democracy, "The democratic processthat this organization goes through [by changing ] leadership [yearly] ? alsoshows the political maturity which has developed within the UNAA." The annual meetings are also about business. The government wantsexpatriates to invest in the country. And many are already involved. Among themis Mulumba Stanley, a Ugandan based in Boston who opened an exporting businessin Kampala ? "Uga Rose Flowers, Ltd". Ugandans in the Diaspora also created thewell-known firm Jakana Foods, as well as Akright Projects, a company thatbuilds and sells affordable houses and property to Ugandans. IsaacMulindwa, a construction and civil engineer in Florida, is the co-owner ofRadio Simba in Kampala and a popular Kampala venue, Club Silk. ExpatriateUgandans are also involved in running Gulu Independent Hospital in Gulu inNorthern Uganda, Mbarara Community Hospital in Western Uganda, and Paragon andVictoria Hospitals in Kampala. One topicon the conference agenda will be the progress of a proposed commercial bankthat would offer easier lending terms for those promoting small-scaleindustries and farming. ProfessorMaggie Kigozi is the executive director of the Ugandan Investment Authority, afrequent participant and presenter at UNAA Conventions, "A number of theDiasporas have already invested in schools here. We are looking for furtherprivate investment in education, and in [creating micro-finance institutions].We also need workers for our companies. Many multi-nationals are now investingin Uganda. Ugandans are very well-educated but we do not have the experiencewhereas the people who have been working in America or in Canada have theexperience that our investors need." UNAAis a non-profit organization that accepts financial support from businesses,which supporters say do not influence the group's activities. The UNAA'spresident, Lt. Frank Musisi, says in addition to discussions on education, immigrationand family issues, the conference will host a job fair with many US businessesin attendance. In addition, he says theUnited States Agency for International Development has agreed to send arepresentative to discuss how Ugandan-run NGOs can help Uganda develop.