The Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who is on five days visit to Canada addressed the Uganda Community during their annual Ugandan Canadian Diaspora Business Expo and Convention 2019.
Ssekandi urged all investments groups of Ugandans in Canada and in elsewhere in the world to invest back home, saying it elevates the national pride.
He urged to Ugandans abroad to be good will ambassadors of government and the country and urged them to work with Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to attract more investors to the country.
He assured Ugandans of the already leveled ground of making UIA a one stop center, besides the incentives and availability of opportunities of investment such as minerals, power, and agro processing among others.
“Whatever area you think as far as your discussions concerned, to be addressed by government bring it out for Uganda’s historical mission of transformation to bear fruits to benefit all of us living there,” he said.
He told the gathering that there are some challenges like unemployment among the youth, unhealthy lifestyle, malnutrition which overshadows the already visible achievements. He however said Uganda was moving forward in the face of global economics slow down. “The economy has recovered, and GDP is growing at 6% over the last 2 years,” he said.
Vice President and Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga attended a multi-faith service led by Ugandans themselves at Court-Yard by Marriot Hotel. The prayers were led by Rev. Joseph Kiirya of River Jordan Ministries, Ottawa, Bishop Isaiah Mbuga, Rev. Eddie Jjumba and Sheik Fahad Amir Nsubuga.
Rev. Kiirya appealed to the congregation to fund-raise money in order to build a reception center comprised of 3 homes at US$5000 each. When completed the center will be used by new Ugandan migrants to Canada. Both Vice president and speakers contributed US$1000 and US$300 respectively.
Kadaga called up on all Ugandans to respect leaders and dialogue always because it’s the government which sets the methods to enable them travel abroad. She gave them an example of a passport that contains an appeal of the President of Uganda to allow the bearer in that particular country on his behalf. She had already addressed the Convention a day before during the opening on June 29, 2019.
In her speech Kadaga had highlighted many investment opportunities back home and the legislations in place to protect the investments.
Kadaga was accompanied by a number of MPs Wamayi, Nankabirwa Annan Maria Woman Kiboga and Makumbi Mityana among others.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada Joy Ruth Acheng and Uganda Canadian Diaspora Business Expo and Convention President Joh Nalima welcomed every participant, the government and corporates who worked tirelessly for the success of the event.
