Dear all, For those who might not yet know, Uganda Investment Authority in collaboration with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies is organizing a one-week multi activity event from December 14 to 19, 2014 in Gulu, Uganda. The events include a products and services exhibition, cultural gala, seminars, business to business meetings and an Investment Summit on 19 December 2014 at Churchill Court Hotel. H.E. President Museveni will be the chief Guest at the Investment Summit. This Summit will explore the business opportunities in Agro processing, mining, tourism and real estate among others. This Summit is expected to attract 200-400 people and will showcase Northern Uganda as a viable safe location, as well as present success stories of diaspora investment and untapped vast business opportunities. Business people from the East African community member countries and others are expected to attend, considering that the Northern region is strategically located to enable easier access to show- goers from Kenya, Southern Sudan and the DRC. It is hoped that the Home is Best Summit will change the stereotype notion that Northern Uganda is a war ravaged and unsafe region. The Government of Uganda says it is committed to ensuring that the sustained peace in the region will continue to provide a conducive environment for trade and investment. I have been invited to make a presentation at the Investment Summit on the challenges that investors from the diaspora face in Uganda. I made a similar presentation at an investment seminar during The Uganda North American Association Convention in San Diego, California, USA in September 2014. While I have been asked to share my personal experiences with the Summit, I would like to invite other members of the diaspora who have invested at home to share their positive and negative experiences with me. I also invite those who may have wanted to invest in Uganda but have been discouraged by some obstacles in Uganda to share their concerns with me. In addition, I invite suggestions of things that the Government of Uganda and others in Uganda could do to make investing in Uganda easier for those in the diaspora. That way, my presentation will be summary of many peoples’ experiences rather than one persons’ experience. Those who are interested in sharing their experiences may send their comments and suggestions by email to me at [email protected]. I will endeavor to incorporate all the major issues in my presentation. About 15 years ago, the government of Uganda with support from donors wanted to boost the education and tourism sectors in Uganda. They offered those who wanted to build hotels, schools and University hostels loans with 0% interest and 0 payments for 5 years. Many private schools in southern Uganda as well as hostels around Makerere University, Kyambogo University and Nkumba University were built with this financing. The loans have been repaid and the program has expired. During the Gulu Summit and and a subsequent conference At Serena Hotel in Kampala on December 29, chaired by Uganda’s Prime Minister Hon Ruhakana Rugunda, I will be arguing that the financial program I described above be reintroduced specifically for Northern Uganda. My argument is that Northern Uganda was not in a position to utilize the funding 15 years ago due to the war in the region, and should now be given a chance to catch up with the rest of the country economically. For those of you who will be in Uganda next week, please join us in Gulu, and/or at Serena Hotel in Kampala on December 29, 2014. After the conference, I will also write a summary and share it with you all. Seasons greetings, Dr. George Otto Toronto Canada
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:49:59 +0000
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