Uganda’s Private Security Organisations (PSOs) have been applauded at the Presidential CEO Forum, an initiative of President Yoweri Museveni aimed at directly engaging private sector with State House and senior level government agencies.
The PSOs were applauded at the 6th Bi-Annual Presidential CEO Forum held on Friday, at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe themed, “Positioning Uganda’s Wildlife and Heritage for Global Competitiveness” with emphasis on how best to strike a balance between conservation, sustainability, and economic gains.
“Private Security Organisations play a very important role in complementing Uganda Police in protecting life and property of Ugandans”, Uganda’s state minister for Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Mr.Godfrey Kabbyanga said at the CEO Forum where over 40 CEO were invited through their umbrella body, The Uganda Private Security Association (TUPSA).
“As government, we are committed to supporting private security in doing your work and we must commend you for what you are doing”, Kabbyanga told the well attended Forum on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Hon. Kabbyanga said working through the Prime Minister, Rt.Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, where he reports directly, concerns raised at the Forum by TUPSA chairman, Mr. Grace Matsiko including multiple taxation will be addressed by the relevant government offices including escalating them to the President.
“You are in the right hands”, Minister Kabbyanga assured CEOs from private security companies as he addressed himself specifically to the CEO of the Presidential Forum, Ms Irene Birungi and other senior government officials present at the high level event.
Minister’s Kabbyanga’s remarks followed comments by TUPSA chairman Matsiko who informed the retreat of PSOs’ vast deployment of personnel from one border of Uganda to another, with personnel guarding telecommunications, Banking, Hotels, Oil and Gas, Tourism sites, commercial and private enterprises among others.
“As Private Security Sector, we are committed to do our best in providing security to every sector in Uganda because we have the numbers and specifically to tourism sites but we are faced by a number of challenges and one of them is multiple taxations which we request His Excellency, President Yoweri Museveni to meet us and look into” Mr. Matsiko said. Matsiko asked government to support Private Security players to train it’s personnel in hospitality related security management as often guards at hotels are the first and last contacts of local and foreign tourists when they visit tourism hubs and the impression of what the security officers give matters alot.
The Presidential CEO Forum chief Ms Birungi welcomed the delegates to the retreat and assured them of government’s commitment to take into account the issues and experiences shared in the course of the event.
A key insight from Sheema Municipality and member of parliamentary committee on trade and industry, Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa, who is also Chair of the Uganda Lodge Owners Association, at the day’s event noted that Uganda’s strength lies in its people.
He highlighted that a significant number of safari lodges are owned by Ugandans, ensuring that the money tourists spend arrives and stays in Uganda, directly fueling our nation’s growth.
He said this model of local ownership is a cornerstone of sustainable development and a massive plus for Uganda.
A special highlight at the retreat was a visit from the Miss Tourism finalists. They shared inspiring insights into the pageant’s vision and their commitment to serving as powerful ambassadors for Brand Uganda.
At the end of the retreat, the delegates were taken on a guided tour of the Wildlife Education Centre which is currently ranked among the first on the African continent in terms of transformation and development backed by technology and innovation.
