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Panel Discussion: Priority Sector Business Investment Opportunities: infrastructure, Renewable Energy
Mining & Minerals, Infrastructure, finance, Transport and logistics, Construction, Manufacturing.

The session will discuss the broad investment thesis and why now is the time to be investing in Uganda. Opportunities, challenges and outlook. It will also seek to identify, and evaluate local investment opportunities, access to affordable finance and how to deepen the banking and financial services sector. Other talking points will include:

• How can British exporters successfully tap into the economic and related infrastructure boom in Uganda/Kampala Capital City?
• Banking and Financial Services: Driving Growth in Uganda
• Construction, Transportation and Infrastructure and Public private partnerships
• Where are the hotspots for trade and infrastructure-driven transformation at present in Uganda and East Africa?
• Where is the greatest trade financing and working capital need in Uganda/East Africa in terms of markets and sectors? What are the hurdles being faced by borrowers and lenders?
• Why does a challenge still remain due to physical infrastructure bottlenecks? To what extent is this set to grow with mounting challenges to in-bound FDI, Tax deficits and financing?

Moderator:  Ade Daramy, Chairman, The African Foundation for Development

Panellists:
• Hon. Isaac Musumba, Minister of State for Urban Development
• Hon. Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo, Minister of the Presidency
• Hon. Nakate Lillian Segujja
• SAMUEL KIRUBI, Managing Director (Equity Bank (U) Ltd | Chair, Committee physical Infrastructure
• Hon. Nzoghu William Musabe, Shadow Min for Works and Transport
• Michael Mugabi, Executive Director, Housing Finance Bank
• Fred Opolot, Member, Investment Arthority Board

Session: Agribusiness Leaders’ Roundtable: Uganda’s Agriculture Potential – Policies, Incentives, Trade Facilitation and Agri-infrastructure Investment Opportunities

This session will highlight the enormous potential for agribusiness in Uganda. As well as highlighting the experiences of successful investors in the sector, the session will also consider how to tap into international markets, access to cheap finance, mechanisation and how Uganda can increase the productivity of small scale farmers and increase value addition.

This session will tackle the following:
• How can agribusiness be integrated into the rapidly expanding Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector and what are the opportunities for investors?
• The next big thing – packaging. The impact of formalisation of food products in Uganda – a move to branded and better packaged items (Comment by Shahid Sheikh, MD Clifton Packaging Group Ltd)
• Are there lessons that can be learnt from other sub-Saharan countries, such as Tanzania and Ethiopia, that have successfully increased their agribusiness sectors?
• Financing – What are some other key challenges to investing successfully in Uganda’s agri-business sector – and lack of skilled work? Why is it so hard to finance agribusiness in Uganda?
• With Pests and diseases, drought impacting crop output, low investment levels and demand for increased imports, how should governments and banks support the sector and help farmers address financing difficulties?

Moderated by: Prof. Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Chairperson Zuri Model Farming

Panellists:
-Hon Vincent Ssempijja, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Industry
-Andrew Blanch, MD, Alvan Blanch Development Company
-Shahid Sheikh, MD, Clifton Packaging Group Ltd
-Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko, Former Minister of Agriculture and Chairperson – Uganda Agribusiness Alliance
-Hon. Migadde Robert, Vice Chairperson, Comm. on Agriculture
-Dr. Simon Kagugube, Executive Director, Centenary Bank
-Hon. Keefa Kiwanuka (MP)
-Hon. Cecilia Atim ogwal (MP)

Dr. Nandawula Kanyerezi
MD. a Diplomat in Internal Medicine, a Certified member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Executive Director/Lead Physician at Clinic at The Mall.

• Challenges and opportunities in promoting and supporting Diaspora investment mechanisms. Diaspora provides a key ingredient for • Uganda’s growth and development.
• How to mitigate government limitations for Diaspora participation in the economic growth and development.
• What policies and regulatory framework does government require in order to harness and respond to Diaspora investment needs.

This is an interactive session which will focus on contentious issues pertaining to Ugandans in the Diaspora including:
• Voting rights
Owning Mailo land and how the new land policy will allow government to acquire land without prior compensation.
• Share experiences and exposure with other institutions on how to deliver effective, efficient and sustainable Parliamentary services to Ugandans in the Diaspora;
• To draw a clear road-map for delivering effective and efficient Parliamentary Services to Ugandans in the Diaspora.
• Reverse brain drain. How government is attracting its high skilled citizens in the Diaspora back to Uganda?

Ugandans in the Diaspora play an important role in the economic development of Uganda. Beyond their well-known role as senders of remittances, diasporas can also promote trade and foreign direct investment, create businesses and spur entrepreneurship, and transfer new knowledge and skills. Uganda is increasingly realizing that an engaged diaspora can be an asset — or even a counterweight to the emigration of skilled and talented migrants.

Moderator:  CHRIS OBORE, Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Parliament of Uganda

Panellists:
• Hon. Mbogo Kezekia
• Hon. Lokwang Hillary (MP)
• Hon. Taaka Agnes (MP)
• Hon. Colonel Kulayigye Felix
• Hon. Alex Byarugaba (MP)
• Ambassador Dickson Ogwang
• Hon. Robinah Nabbanja (MP)
• Hon. Ann Nankabirwa (MP)
• Hon. A. A. Baryayanga (MP)
• Joy Kyakwita, Immigration Consultant
• Hon. Ssemujju Ibrahim (MP)

H.E. the Vice President will highlight Government’s Economic, and Fiscal Strategy, Legislation, Regulatory Framework, Compliance and Rule of Law as well as plans to improve the ease of investing, doing business, facilitating private sector led development and the Government’s efforts to strengthen the investment climate.
UK Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award

The UK Prime Minister’s daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making positive changes in their communities. The UK award was set up in partnership with the US Points of Light Foundation, which was established by President George H W Bush over 25 years ago and has since recognised over 5,000 inspiring volunteers in the US. Monica and Julie will be the UK’s 762th and 763rd Point of Light for their work founding the Netball Trust, which does excellent work in Uganda.

Introducing her new book “The Farmers Daughters”
“Growing a Better Future for Uganda Today”

Victoria Sekitoleko is a former Minister of Agriculture in the Ugandan government,[1] a post she held from 1986 to 1995. She was a representative for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in China, Mongolia, and South Korea (October 2006 – April 2011)[3] She previously served as the FAO’s representative in Ethiopia to the African Union (AU), and to the Economic Community for Africa (ECA) (2005–2006). She was FAO Sub Regional Representative to Eastern and Southern Africa, based at Harare, Zimbabwe.(1995–2004).

Sekitoleko was educated at Makerere University in Kampala, where she attained a BSc in Agriculture majoring in Farm Management and Extension (1970–1973). In 1983, she attended the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) where she obtained a Certificate in Agriculture Project Identification, Appraisal and Management. In 2003 she attended the Zimbabwe Institute of Systemic Counseling, obtaining a Certificate in Systemic Counselling. In 2004, she attended the Limpopo University RSA (in conjunction with University of southern Hampshire USA) where she obtained a Certificate in Micro Enterprise and Development.

Victoria Sekitoleko is currently Chairperson of the governing board of Uganda Agribusiness Alliance. The purpose of the Uganda Agribusiness Business Alliance is to unite all those involved in the industry to best optimize their ability to profitably and sustainably pursue the many global opportunities that present themselves as part of competing in the world’s largest industry.

Victoria Sekitoleko joined the Business and Professional Women Kampala (BWP) in 2013. In 2010 Victoria Sekitoleko founded the Uganda Community Cultural Center which trades as Speakers Forum. Under the Speakers Forum, she does Public Speaking and Community libraries. She founded the forum to provide a platform for professionals to become world class presenters.

Amb. Moto is the former Uganda’s High Commissioner in South Africa and Head of Mission from July 2013 to April 2017. He presented his letters of Credentials to the President of the Republic of South Africa on the 16th October 2013 and to the President of the Republic of Botswana on 6th June 2014. On the 8th May 2015, he presented his papers to His Majesty King Mswati of the Kingdom of Swaziland. He also presented his papers to King Letsie III of Lesotho.

Prior to his posting Am. Moto worked as Program Manager with a relief and recovery project under USAID/World Concern Project in South Sudan from 2011 to August 2012 when he was appointed by the President of the Republic of Uganda. While in South Sudan, Amb Moto liaised with UN Agencies and INGOs based in Warrap State for proper planning and coordination of early recovery programs in the Warrap State, South Sudan.

He served as Marketing Manager, Projects Director, and CEO for large private sector driven NGOs and organisations in Uganda, notably Uganda National Farmers Federation, Northern Uganda Manufacturers Association and The Private Sector Foundation of Uganda. He worked as International Trade Policy Program Officer at the Eastern African Farmers Organisation based in Nairobi from 2006- 2008 where he trained farmers on regional organisation and sensitised farmers on trade policies like the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements, the US’s AGOA, the COMESA PTA protocols based in Lusaka-Zambia.

Amb. Moto loves football and plays other games besides reading and sharing information with peers. Amb Moto (50) is married, has 8 children and currently sponsoring 11 vulnerable children in various schools in Uganda, an activity he started 5 years ago. He loves supporting community based initiatives such as building of churches, protecting springs, training of rural persons on savings and livelihoods.

Eric Olanya, Head of Trade, Uganda, Department for International Trade, British High Commission.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN UGANDA

Key talking points will include:
-In which sectors are UK exports thriving and how do they remain competitive? What are the major success stories in Uganda?
-Relationship building: Forming local partnerships to greater understand market needs and to position UK exportable products and services accordingly.
-With the rise of cheaper manufacturing in emerging markets such as Asia what are the changes to business practices that UK SMEs need to adopt to remain competitive?
-Gaining competitive advantage: Are UK manufacturers currently competing on price or on quality?
-What do UK exporters need to know about entering Uganda market?
-How great a risk do breaches of contract and regulatory changes pose?
-How can companies protect their rights and manage these risks?

Eric Olanya is the Head, Department for International Trade (DIT) at the British High Commission in Kampala, responsible for providing support to UK companies interested in doing business in Uganda. He is responsible for UK-Uganda trade development, in particular developing opportunities in the oil and gas sector (Uganda), East Africa region infrastructure lead, and UKEF champion for East Africa and leads on strategic partnerships with UK companies in large projects. Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a post graduate diploma in Management and International Trade, a Post Graduate Certificate in Project Finance and is currently studying an MSc in Petroleum Engineering. Over the years he has developed a good understanding of the economic and political climate in Uganda, market trends, and investment opportunities and understands the needs of UK companies in doing business in Uganda.

Doing Business in Uganda – the challenges, common practices, risks and potential rewards of being a multinational enterprise operating in Uganda

Key talking points will include:
-Understanding the general business environment in Uganda
-What challenges face multinationals in managing their subsidiaries in Uganda?
-Replicating international policies and business operating procedures in Ugandan businesses –
-where does the balance lie?
-Available sources of funding for Healthcare projects

Uganda Convention UK’s vision is to harness the tremendous skills, expertise and knowledgebase of the Ugandan Diaspora with a view to promote socio-economic and infrastructural development back in Uganda. Uganda Convention provide a platform for exchanges of views and networking to Ugandan Diasporas on matters of common interest and concern to them. Also help the Government of Uganda to better understand and appreciate the expectations of Ugandan Diasporas community from the land of their ancestors and more importantly, acknowledge the important role played by them in Uganda’s efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations.