SAN FRANCISCO —The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has called upon Ugandans in the diaspora to love and promote their country-especially in the areas of tourism and manufacturing .
While addressing hundreds of Ugandans who attended the just concluded – 34th Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Convention in San Francisco, USA , Tayebwa highlighted the many trade and investment opportunities abound in Uganda which they should explore for value addition and increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings .
The Deputy Speaker emphasized the Uganda—US bilateral trade relations—saying that favorable domestic policies are drivers of foreign investment. He urged Ugandans in North America to bring back jobs home by investing in there country.
Tayebwa assured Ugandans abroad that the 11th Parliament will stand firm in the fight against corruption and hold government officials accountable, a development he said will enhance good governance and improve the trade and investment atmosphere in Uganda.
He said UNAA was a good platform for engagement, noting that Parliament will continue to work with the association .
Tayebwa noted that the issues of voting rights for Ugandans in the diaspora and dual citizenship remain high on the national assembly’s agenda.
The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua saluted UNAA leadership for walking the talk and keeping the hope alive. “The NRM leadership and HE Gen Yoweri Museveni remains committed to provide the desired services to the Ugandans in the diaspora using our missions abroad,” he said
He said government officials are in the North America to listen to diaspora community and return home with tangible action points for purposes of implementation.
Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, Ambassador Santa Mary Laker-Kinyera said the government of Uganda recognizes the significant contribution made by the diaspora to Uganda’s national development.
Recent data from the World Bank shows that remittance flows to Uganda stands at approximately $1.2 billion annually, with over 100 million of this coming from the US alone.
Ambassador Laker-Kinyera said these remittances are usually sent to Uganda in the form of assistance to family members to help with things like school fees, welfare, medical support, and assistance for small projects.
She highlighted the various opportunities and incentives that exist for investment in Uganda—noting that there are several opportunities that the diaspora can take advantage of in the tourism , automotive industry- where Uganda’s flagship Kiira Motors is championing e-mobility and the agricultural sectors among others .
