Addressing a press conference at the President’s Office in Kampala, the Chairperson South Africa NRM Chapter, Isma Luzige, said the symposium is a huge testament to the enduring relationship between Uganda and South Africa.
“The symposium scheduled for September 27-28, 2024, will run under the theme; “Social Economic Transformation & Navigating through Trade on the African Continent.” It will also focus on commercial diplomacy, business-to-business, and people-to-people interactions across various sectors.”
The keynote speaker will be NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong; dissecting a wide range of topics, including digital economy, mining, education, health, among others. There will be participation from Gauteng, Limpopo, Kwazul Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Eastern Cape, and all SADEC countries.
In his address, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, stressed that the President’s Office will fully support the initiative as, it’s one of the ways to bring together the Ugandan Diaspora community, paving the way for dialogue and cohesion.
The Ambassador added that the symposium is open to all people, regardless of creed or political affiliation; because the matters to be discussed don’t segregate, but benefit everyone whether at home or abroad.
He applauded the South Africa NRM Chapter, for its vibrant efforts in upholding the party’s core principles of patriotism, pan-Africanism, democracy & socio-economic transformation, which is a unifying front for all Ugandans.
“The symposium is aimed at advocating for visa-free entry to South Africa, enabling open borders for Ugandans to conduct business and to push for Diaspora voting, with a focus on the estimated over million Ugandans in Southern Africa.”
In his communication, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Ambassador Paul Amoru, appreciated H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his keen attention to Diaspora issues; by setting up a Diaspora Affairs Office, headed by, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, which has done a significant job in uplifting the welfare of Ugandans living overseas.
Amoru further said that “There is a direct need to actively engage Diaspora communities in South Africa to tap into the different sectors in the market which will in turn boost the Diaspora remittances toward our country.”
He further stated that the best place to start when looking for market of Ugandan products is South Africa, which is more proxime to Uganda.
“The symposium will have participant’s from different political parties in different parts of South, East, & Central Africa, such as ANC, RPF, among others.”
It was noted that as per January, 2024, Uganda received $1.25 billion equivalent to 5.5trillion shillings in remittances from the Diaspora, in form of consumables and healthcare support.
The Chairperson of the organizing committee, Norman Nimusiima, urged the Uganda Diaspora community to ignore any divisive politics that are meant to deter people from the main focus of the symposium.
The briefing was attended by the Senior Presidential Advisor on the Middle East, Ambassador Ahmed Kisuule, and the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Sempijja, who urged all members of the Diaspora to take active participation in the symposium, because there is need for engagement into development for the good of our country.
