Vice President H.E. Edward Sekandi (L) being welcomed on arrival at Brovad Hotel by (L-R_ Eng Dr Frank Sebbowa (ED UIA), Mr. Patrick B Kaberenge (UIA Board Member who represented the Chairman) and Ambassador Zaake Kibede (Uganda to the Nordic countries)

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During the Home is Best Diaspora Summit 2015, organized by Ugandan Investment Authority (UIA), the Ugandans living in the Diaspora, who had attended the event requested for an exclusive meeting with the Vice President, H.E. Edward Sekandi.

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The 30 minute meeting, which was also attended by the Minister of State (Investments), Hon Gabriel Ajedra; the Assistant Country Director UNDP, Ms Patience Alidri; the Vice President of the Ethiopia Diaspora Association (EDA), Dr Alebachwe Beyene; the Acting Chairman UIA Board, Mr Patrick Kaberenge; and the Executive Director UIA, Eng Dr Frank Sebbowa, was moderated by Uganda’s Ambassador to the Nordic countries Amb Zaake Kibedi.

Among the critical issues raised for government intervention were:

• The need for an implementation organ to follow up on the recommendations and policies passed regarding the Ugandans in the Diaspora. This, they said becomes critical when they want to come back home and policies have not been enacted to guide the process. It was also suggested that identified entities should supply Diaspora organizations with information directly and on a regular basis. 
  
  
• The Ugandans in the Diaspora would like to transfer skills acquired over the years as well mobilize funds for investment projects but the collaborative platform is weak and should be strengthen
  
  
• The Diaspora Ugandans in the Nordics, who formed the Uganda Nordics Diaspora Investment Initiative (UNDII)   requested government for recognition and more    involvement in events arranged by the association. They also requested for government intervention in issues that were slowing down the processes of implementing investment intentions in a meat processing plant
  
  
• They requested for the speedy enactment of the Diaspora Policy which will give comfort to the Ugandans in the  Diaspora and attract investment back home faster.
  
  
• Ugandans living South Africa decried the high visa costs citing the almost 300% increase in visas from South Africa to Uganda.
  
  
• The International Community of Banyakegizi (ICOB) was represented at the event and requested for the Vice    President’s support in ensuring that government engages with them and other cultural associations at the same level that the annual diaspora conventions were recognized. ICOB is focused on re-skilling Ugandans into gainful employment.  

The Vice President visiting the exhibition stalls flanked by Hon Dr Eng Ajedra Gabriel Aridru, Minister of State (Investments), minjistry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (red tie)

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Dr Beyene (EDA) shared the Ethiopian Diaspora experience, which was hailed as success story considering the huge infrastructure investments the Diaspora have organized themselves to deliver. He said they had a comprehensive Diaspora Policy and Diaspora issues are monitored and dealt with at every level from the regions cascading to the President.

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Borrowing from the Ethiopian experience, Hon Gabriel Ajedra, urged the Ugandans in the Diaspora to devise a mechanism, whereby all the diaspora associations subscribe to one platform and through that one platform it will be easier for them to articulate all inclusive issues and easier for Government to follow up and implement the agreed recommendations. The transfer of skills, engagement in investment and sharing of information would be smoother through one platform.

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The Diaspora Ugandans were urged to use the existing mechanisms government has put in place, like the Diaspora Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Diaspora Desk in Uganda Investment Authority, as well as Uganda’s diplomatic missions in their host countries. H.E. the President had also told the Ugandans in the Diaspora that a Diaspora desk would be created in his office to expedite Diaspora issues.

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The Vice President, who had officiated over the opening ceremony of the Summit, listened attentively to the whole dialogue and said he appreciated the candid dialogue which shared ideas on Uganda’s status of development and areas of improvement. He promised to follow up with the relevant entities on all the issues raised and urged the Ugandans living in the Diaspora to invest in their home country.

He said he was aware that many of them left the country for various, but they were free to come back be involved in the economic development. He said he had interacted with the Ugandans in the Diaspora during many conventions and the dialogue that ensues is very beneficial for both parties (government and Diaspora Ugandans). He assured them of Government’s support towards private investment and encouraged all investment ideas whether big or small.

The two day Diaspora Summit was closed by Ambassador Njuna Njuneki on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his closing remarks at the 8th Home is Best summit, he applauded UIA’s efforts in taking the leading role in organizing the annual Home is Best Summits in collaboration with other government bodies including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bank of Uganda and UNDP. He agreed that the Ugandans living in the Diaspora should participate more in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Uganda’s development policies, both at national and international levels.

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The next Home is Best Diaspora Summit 2016 is scheduled for December 2016 on a date and venue to be confirmed. The Summits are held in different towns on a regional rotational basis.

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The Vice President poses with some participants for a group photo after the opening of the Summit

Dr Alebachwe Beyene vising the Roofings Group Stall

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