UGANDAN DIASPORA COMMUNITY IN CANADA URGED TO PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT TO STEER DEVELOPMENT
The 2nd Canada NRM Chapter Symposium 2023 was on Saturday officially opened at Woodbine Banquet and Convention Hotel and Suites in Toronto, Canada.
The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga, who is representing the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has commended Ugandans living in Canada, and other parts of the world for their immense contribution toward the development of Uganda.
“The Diaspora community greatly contributes to the development of our country through Foreign Direct Investments, remittances, promotion of trade, public diplomacy and culture, technology and skills transfer. I commend you for what you have been doing and appeal to you to tireless work through your families to invest back home so that we can build our Country and boost the local economy,” Rt. Hon. Nakadama said.
Rt. Hon. Nakadama urged the Diaspora to work with the government to contribute, to the development of the country, explaining that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government is ready to work with the diaspora, irrespective of their political affiliation and other differences.
Presidency Minister, Hon. Milly Babalanda, has noted that the 2nd Canada NRM Chapter Symposium is a way to bridge the trade gap between Uganda and Canada, giving us a chance to market our beauty and economic potential of becoming Africa's leading trade, tourism, and investment destination.
“I call upon Ugandans living in Canada to partner with government and make their own contribution. We welcome positive criticism and ideas that will make our performance improve as well as promote partnerships for the development of our country,” the Minister said.
On behalf of the government of Uganda, Hon. Babalanda also encouraged Ugandans in the Diaspora to invest back home in areas of agriculture, industry, tourism, ICT and the services industry such as hotel and leisure.
Lands Minister, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, says Uganda is a more blessed nation with abundant natural resources. She adds that once, the Ugandan diaspora community realizes this, and invests back home, industrialization will improve, hence products from Uganda can hit the Canadian market, in turn increasing Uganda's GDP.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Hajji Abbey Walusimbi, has urged the Ugandan community in Canada to work together, and equally play an important role in waving the Ugandan flag high. He adds that this will create partnerships aimed at fostering development back home. Walusimbi reckoned that this should be under guiding principles of patriotism, pan-africanism, democracy and socio-economic transformation.
In attandence is Uganda's High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Ambassador Joy Ruth Acheng, Presidency Minister, Hon. Milly Babalanda, Lands Minister, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Presidency Minister, NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja, Members of Parliament, Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Hajji Abbey Walusimbi, NRM Director for Administration and Finance, Hajat Medinah, Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs, Moses Byaruhanga, Spokesperson of NRM party, Rogers Mulindwa, Presidential Aide, Sandra Ndyomugyenyi, Officials from Foreign & Internal Affairs &
Education Ministries, Presidential Advisors and Assistants, including Hon. Mutyabule Florence, and Uganda Hotel Owners Association Chairperson, Susan Muhwezi, among others.
The Canada NRM Chapter Chairperson, Mr. Fred Kinene, and his Deputy, Mr. Sam Kaggwe, are excited for the well-attebnded event, and are thankful to the Ugandan community in Canada.
