The launch of the maiden Uganda-Europe Convention (UEC) happened on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the President’s Office, Conference Hall in Kampala.
The Chief Guest, who is also the 3rd Deputy Premier, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, was represented by the Lands Minister, Hon. Judith Nabakooba.
In her speech, read by Nabakooba, Rt. Hon. Nakadama applauded the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs in the President’s Office, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, for spearheading the collaborative initiative and acknowledged Europe as an organic partner, which marks a significant moment and efforts to foster collaboration, create new markets, innovation, wealth and job creation, labour externalisation, affordable housing, public-private partnerships, industrialization, and the blue economy, among others.
On behalf of the government, she called the deliberations vital, asking participants to share insights about the vast investment opportunities in Uganda and Europe and adding that by enhancing entrepreneurship, we make tangible strides towards achieving economic growth and prosperity.
In his words, the Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Vincent Ssempijja, referred to the UEC as a wonderful initiative that seeks to position Uganda in a stream of things.
On the essence of statehood, Ssempijja noted that the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, H.E. Gen. (Rtd) President Museveni, is a pan-Africanist, and Uganda highly values her relations with willing partners.
The Minister added that the European bloc has been supporting Uganda’s development and defence systems through an assortment of logistics and training programmes, which has ensured tranquilly and boosted international trade.
“For this to continue, we need to see the opening of new markets to stimulate domestic production. We need to work tirelessly to attract more investors,” he said.
The State Minister of ICT, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, stated that ICT encompasses dynamic and vibrant undeniable enablers for the socio-economic growth of Uganda and Europe, emphasising the pressing need for further investment through collaborative efforts with European tech giants.
“Uganda remains dedicated to fostering an environment that safeguards and offers incentives to investors,” she noted, before applauding the European Fintech international partners, which support and offer opportunities to youth in fields of education, trade, innovation, security, and defence, among others.
European Union (EU) representatives reckoned that they’re aligned with skilling the youth while mobilising quality investments and enhancing trade between Uganda and the European Union. They assured that they would enhance progress towards diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, and creating new jobs in various industries.
Also, they asserted that the UEC has a unique capacity for fresh ideas, untamed creativity, and boundless energy. This potential is the driving force behind progress and development between Uganda and Europe.
Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Ahmad Ibrahim, commended His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his warm reception of the Sudanese community following the turmoil in their home country. He revealed that Sudan is the second-largest market for Ugandan coffee after Europe.
Ahmad also appreciated Ambassador Walusimbi for coining the UEC, where different states will benefit from their experiences and views.
Head of the Anti-Corruption Unit, Brig. Gen. Isoke Henry called for the need to identify and deal with corrupt officials in the process of setting up and extending businesses.
“In 2022, the European Union imported goods worth 778 million euros from Uganda. The strong economic engagement is, however, undermined by the existing vice of corruption in the country,” noted Brig. Isoke.
He added that investors have lost money through dubious claims, but elaborated on the goodwill of the government to fight corruption through his docket and sister agencies.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Industry and former Trade Minister, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, mentioned that the convention will be a source of partnerships and economic synergies.
She triggered diaspora interests in setting up ventures in Uganda and Europe, especially in the housing sector, imploring them to form or join saving groups in a bid to avoid unscrupulous relatives who misuse their earnings.
In his remarks, Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, welcomed the attendees, affirming that it’s a testament to His Excellency President Museveni’s exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to Uganda’s economic prosperity, and visionary approach to international partnerships.
“The UEC will bolster entrepreneurship and innovation, serving as a platform to amplify Uganda’s presence on the global stage and creating a myriad of opportunities for the ‘Bazzukulu’, especially in labour externalisation and value addition, among others.”
Representatives from the State House Investors Protection Unit reiterated their commitment to coordinate MDAs to support instant investor matters, adding that they liaise with other agencies to expeditiously attend to investor matters.
Head of Diaspora Affairs at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Johnny Muhindo, said the UEC will galvanise the Diaspora as a formidable contributor to Uganda’s economic growth.
“We’ve got to do diaspora mapping to identify, locate, and also know or establish transferable skills to be used in transformation. We also need a mechanism to track the inflow of money.”
He disclosed that his office is in touch with the IOM to formulate a diaspora policy, saying, “Let’s get together and contribute ideas that can inform the formulation of diaspora policy. We should use our labour force as stick power, train and skill them, and ensure that foreign states can’t do without them.”
Muhindo also called upon the government to pay deliberate attention to Diaspora issues by coming closer to the Ugandans living overseas so they could espouse the spirit of patriotism.
The visionary founder of UEC, Mr. Juuko Paul Kingsley, said the convention on December 5, 2023, in Malaga, Spain, is a private affirmative action to bridge the gap between government, the European continent, the Diaspora community, and those back home.
He appealed to the government to engage with its European counterparts to loosen up access, especially for entrepreneurs and innovators.
The Chairperson of the Uganda Association of External Recruitment Agencies (UAERA), Mr. Baker Akantambira, pointed out that he’s coordinating all accredited labour recruitment agencies, and they’re excited to get business partners in Europe. “We’ve got to secure good jobs to bring the Diaspora equation into practice.”
Chief of External Labour Powerhouse, Usher Owere, stressed that because the UEC is a full package with wider opportunities, there is a need to streamline labour externalisation by bringing together recruiters, trainers, and migrant workers. “Labour export is one of the remedies for unemployment. The focus must be on rebranding it to become more vibrant, bringing regulators together to streamline the way externalisation of labour is treated in the country.”
He commended Ambassador Walusimbi and recruitment companies for the work done. “Work out a system; how do we rebrand and modify? We must go back to the drawing board; that’s the dream of the president. Let’s come out, stop the blame game, work together, and secure jobs for Ugandans.”
In sum, the UEC was officially launched by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Industry, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, who appreciated the organisers for offering this huge opportunity to the youth. “My role is to declare that the convention launched is the first of its kind but will diversify to other countries. Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi is a gem and aggressive.”
The launch was also attended by Mr. Sofian Dahmani (Program Officer Green Transition & Private Sector at EU), H. E. Mrs. Yuliia V. Zagurska (Consul of the Republic Of Uganda in Ukraine), Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi (Security Minister), Hon. Muluri Mukasa (Minister of Public Service), Mohammed Bagonza (State House Diaspora Unit), Mr. Steven Kaheru (State House Investors Protection Unit), Ambassador Philip Ochen Odida (Foreign Affairs Ministry), Sandra Ndyomugyenyi, Carol Kembabazi, Harriet (State House officials), Irene Kaggwa (UCC ED), Solomon Kavuma (Acting Director Financial Markets at BOU), Victoria Vanny Nabiteeko (Senior Program Assistant at IOM Uganda), Mr. Cleopas Ndorere (Commissioner In charge of External Trade at Trade Ministry), Hadijah Namutebi (Senior Police Commissioner), Bishop Isaiah Mbuga (Coordinator of Obutaka Development Forum), Sheikh Ramathan Mulindwa (District Khadi of Luwero), Ms. Judith Heard (Uganda fashion model), Uganda Airlines, UTB, URA, Post Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, DFCU Bank, Centenary Bank, ABSA Bank, Migrant Workers Voice, Kyeeyo Initiative, among others.
