Convention 2015 – Uganda-UK Convention

19/08/2020

Flash back: Harnessing the Ancient to build the new, the Nnabagereka leads the way.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Begun as an investment and development conference to encourage the Ugandan Diaspora to play a fuller role in the development of their country of origin, now in its fifth year, the Uganda Convention has grown to become a forum not only for its original aims, but, for exploring wider questions of the nature of development and policy.

This was the theme to which the Nnabagereka of Buganda Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda Luswata addressed herself. Although without administrative or legislative powers since its restoration by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), following the conflict years of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, the ancient once powerful Kingdom of Buganda still retains great influence over the six million or so Baganda, or people of Buganda.

Although an embodiment of an ancient institution, the Nnabagereka is also a thoroughly modern woman who has sought to advance the role of women in today’s Uganda, by leveraging the influence that Kinganda (Bugandan) culture has always accorded to women leaders. “Ancient cultural institutions such as the kingdom of Buganda have a role to play in helping women to achieve sustainable development in Uganda.”[/vc_column_text][vc_images_carousel images=”33185,33184,33183,33182,33181,33180,33179,33178,33177,33176,33175,33174″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” autoplay=”yes” custom_links=”#E-8_aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cubm5hYmFnZXJla2Eub3JnJTJG”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]She is redefining her role to include nudging the national government to put women at the centre of development policy. As the Nnabagereka, she believes that she can play a significant role by championing women’s struggle around issues of land tenure in their own right, infant and maternal mortality, girls’ education, all gender inequalities, including employment rights. Of course since many of the traditions around land tenure developed within Buganda culture, her efforts to modernise these traditions have particular resonance.

The Nnabagereka foundation is one of the vehicles through which her efforts are channelled. Set up in 2000, the foundation according to the Nnabagereka, “aspires to be a leading cultural foundation that uses culture as a development tool in contemporary society.” Her vision for development through cultural awareness extends beyond Buganda, to other cultures in Uganda.

“We believe that the most successful programmes will be those that not only understand the nuances that exist within different cultures, but, those that integrate positive elements within cultural institutions and work, and work with cultural leaders as equal partners, recognise positive cultural contexts, and culture as a key framework that defines our choices, opportunities and abilities.”

Many of the programmes initiated by the Nnabagereka foundation draw on this belief, and include bursary schemes for primary school girls, scholarships for Secondary and higher education and sexual reproductive health workshops for both men and women.

Arguably one of the Nnabagereka’s most significant projects is the Ekisaakaate, a traditional form of training for young people to equip them to be useful members of their society. Traditionally the Ekisaakaate was open only to young courtiers to be trained into position of leadership. The model has been modernised to include young people of both genders and from all parts of Uganda, not just from the Kingdom of Buganda.

The success of the initiative has been such that other ethnic groups in Uganda have asked to have it adapted to their culture. Accordingly as it is rolled out to other ethnic groups, care is taken to ensure that it enhances the culture of the particular ethnic group including language. According to the Nnabagereka, “as a result of training, children not only know their language but acquire leadership, entrepreneurship, etiquette, personal and spiritual development.”

The Ekisaakaate has now been extended to Ugandans in the Diaspora, and by attending the Uganda Convention in the United Kingdom the Nnabagereka honoured the Diaspora community in Britain, by launching the Ekisaakaate initiative herself.

Given the cultural diversity of most if not all African societies, the adaption of the Ekisaakaate to respect all of Uganda’s culture is arguably an example not only to Uganda, but, to other African countries in how to work within culture for sustainable development. The Nnabagereka’s approach too promises to be a pointer of how ancient African institutions can be harnessed for the continent’s self realisation in a modern, globalised world.

As certainly the largest of the major four Kingdoms in Uganda, Buganda may also be a torch bearer for other countries across Africa in how the modern state can work harmoniously with ancient institutions which though now mostly ceremonial continue to exercise great influence over many societies.

For the Nnabagereka, harmonising the new with the old for the national good is life time’s work. “I commit myself to continue to work tirelessly on these efforts for while much has been done, much more remains to be done.”

Vincent Gasana

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19/08/2020

2015 Flashback: Keynote speech by the Nnabagereka, HRH Sylvia Nagginda Luswata at the 5th UK-uganda convention in UK

It is a great pleasure to be here with you all for the 5^th Uganda – UK Investment Convention. I bear the warm greetings of Ssabassajja Kabaka and the people of Buganda, on whose behalf I stand here today.

I would like to start off by thanking the organizers for this splendid arrangement bringing together people from all walks of life to discuss investment in Uganda and for choosing a theme that resonates closely with our hearts.

We have all heard and read growth statistics, which mean a lot to macro-economists and scholars but do not always help us understand whether ordinary people are actually becoming happier and more prosperous.

I do not intend to get into a detailed analysis of the gap between the statistics and the perception of ordinary people. I am sure that there are several experts who will be doing that. Rather, I want to applaud the organizers for their insight into the fact that growth statistics only give a two dimensional view of the effect of investment on our society.

If growth is to be truly meaningful and sustainable, all of the people must buy into that growth. For growth to be meaningful and sustainable all people must feel that the growth brings them a direct benefit in the form of prosperity.

When I say “all of the people” I mean women as well as the men across all the strata of society. This is why I am especially pleased about having been asked to speak to you about the role of Ugandan women in achieving sustainable development.

I would like to approach this topic from the perspective of the Buganda Kingdom; to make the argument that the marriage of ancient and modern can both engender and entrench the role of Ugandan women in achieving sustainable development.

For the benefit of the few who are not familiar with our history, Buganda is an ancient Bantu Kingdom, under a King called the Kabaka, located on the Northern and North Eastern shores of Lake Victoria. Buganda, as we know it today, was established by Ssekabaka Kintu upon a foundation of smaller chieftaincies in or about the 12^th Century AD.

Buganda’s location at the Source of the Nile caused it to become a destination for European explorers a focal point of the Scramble for Africa in the 19^th Century. The explorers were followed by Christian missionaries, who, in turn, were followed by British imperial agents.

The British established the Uganda Protectorate around the kernel of the Kingdom of Buganda. Indeed the name “Uganda” was derived from the Swahili pronunciation of the name of the Kingdom. Upon independence in 1962, Uganda had a federal constitution, under which Buganda and other Kingdoms formally retained control of some of their affairs. This constitution was violently abrogated in 1966 and the reigning Kabaka, Edward Mutesa II, was exiled and the Kingdom was abolished.

Buganda was ruled under a state of emergency by the military, which eventually turned on its civilian masters in 1971 with the coup that brought Idi Amin to power. Uganda slowly descended into civil war and state failure and thousands of lives were lost.

Peace and stability were restored to Buganda and the Southern part of the country in 1986 when the National Resistance Army, led by General Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent President of Uganda, took over power with the backing of the overwhelming majority of the people of Buganda, whose central demand was the formal restoration of their Kingdom.

In 1993 we were blessed with the restoration of the Kingdom, and my husband Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, was formally installed as the 36^th Kabaka of Buganda. The Kingdom was restored as a cultural institution, with no administrative or legislative powers. The people of Buganda identify with the cultural leadership (Obwakabaka) not only as a source of basic identity but also as a rallying point and personification of their political, social, economic and cultural aspirations.

Therefore, despite the fact that the Kingdom has no administrative or legislative powers and that cultural leaders are barred from engaging in partisan politics, the institution of the Kabaka wields significant political, social and economic influence over the 6 million or so Baganda and, by virtue of its geographical position, on all of the people of Uganda as well.

It goes without saying that since, as in the rest of the world, roughly half of our population is made up of women, the Kingdom has a great impact on the lives and position of women. I am proud to say that women leadership was and still is recognized in traditional Kiganda culture. Traditionally a Kabaka reigns with two significant women leaders – the Namasole or Queen Mother; and with a female co-heir, the Nnalinya Lubuga, who is a princess – one of the Kabaka’s sisters.

In antiquity and to, some extent, to date, the Namasoles and the Nnalinyas were powerful women leaders with their own estates and royal courts. The Kabaka was and still is expected to consult with them on crucial decisions.

With the advent of Christianity, the first Kabaka to be wed in church, Daudi Chwa II, bestowed on his wife, Lady Druscilla Irene Namaganda, the title of Nnabagereka. This title, which I hold today, has taken on the role of mobilizing women to development in the Kingdom, a role which is reflected in the root of its name – “okugereka”, meaning to plan or prepare for providence.

It is in this context, or against that background that I addressed myself to the issue of the role of women in achieving sustainable development. The Kingdom has been and continues to provide for women in leadership roles. Those roles have been modified over the years and have provided for cultural acceptance of woman participation in several areas of social and economic life.

If the growth statistics fail to reflect the reality of ordinary people – by not demonstrating how this growth translates into prosperity in their daily lives, then this is especially the case for women.

Growth statistics mask the fact that women, living in a predominantly patriarchal society, are disproportionately represented amongst the ranks of the poor. The statistics do not show that according to a recent survey, as many as 40% of all the women in Uganda are unpaid family workers, mainly in agriculture[1].

It is also worth noting that conventional growth statistics do not adequately reflect the inequality of income between men and women, for those women who find employment. They do not reflect the glass ceiling that women hit in their careers, especially because they have to take time out to have and raise children.

These statistics also do not take into account the lost economic output of the thousands of women who die in childbirth every year or the millions of women who are rendered less economically productive because they are looking after children who suffer from preventable diseases. Lastly, growth statistics conceal the fact that the land tenure system unjustly favors men over women.

Looking at the plight of women in present day Uganda, it is easy to throw one’s hands in the air and say that the situation is hopeless. But that is not how the women of Buganda or Uganda see it. Despite the challenges, women are the beating heart of agricultural and other economic production. We are strong and resilient, beating the odds to contribute significantly to Uganda’s sustainable development.

Going forward, it is incumbent on the Government and private investors to reward the resilience of Uganda’s women by putting women at the centre of policy and investment decision making. By this, I mean more than quantitative window dressing. What we need is a real qualitative assessment of gender sensitivity and gender impacts of all investments in our country.

We must commit genuine efforts to make growth translate into equitable and sustainable prosperity for women. The results will be swift if the first thing that is addressed is inequality in pay. Women are already working so hard for little or no pay, just imagine how much harder they can work when they are getting equitably paid.

Legitimate and ancient cultural institutions, such as the Kingdom of Buganda, have a role to play in promoting women to achieve sustainable development in Uganda. As I already said, Kingdoms such as ours have vast untapped social and economic influence.

By enhancing the visibility of women, not just in leadership roles, but also in the tasks of economic production, cultural institutions can bring about the change that unleashes the presently constrained half of the population to production, wealth and prosperity.

Constructive partnerships between cultural institutions, on the one hand, and Government and/or private investors can help lower and eventually overcome the barriers that hold women back in the work place and elsewhere.

Together, we can work on the barriers to more meaningful economic participation by women – by:

Improving access to maternal healthcare;
Reducing infant and child illness and mortality through better access to vaccines and primary healthcare;
Encouraging parents to send their girl children to school and to leave them there; and
Positively addressing and redressing the historical disadvantages faced by women in all aspects of economic production by inculcating a new culture of inclusiveness and equality.

Government can also partner with legitimate cultural institutions to work towards achieving land tenure reform so as to ensure that women have:

security of tenure in the land that they occupy in their own rights and not simply as the daughters, wives or mothers of a man;
the right to buy, inherit and bequeath registered titled land; and
the right to equitably share in matrimonial property on the death of a spouse or upon divorce.

In conclusion ladies and gentlemen and at the risk of repeating myself, women play a big but largely under-recognized and unrewarded role in Uganda’s development. It is time that our efforts were recognized and duly rewarded. It is incumbent on Government and private investors to ensure that investment into Uganda equitably benefits men as well as women. Cultural institutions have played and will continue to play a role in bringing about gender equity in development and prosperity.

I do not simply make these suggestions or proposals for the sake of making a great sounding speech. As the Nnabagereka, I have walked the talk by dedicating myself to making a difference in the lives of the people of Uganda especially Children, women, youth and vulnerable groups.

In 2000 I established the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, which works strategically with other philanthropic institutions, with investors and with Government to provide support in key areas of need such as: maternal health; community development; education; public health; poverty eradication; cultural preservation and the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The Foundation, which has positioned itself as a pacesetter in leveraging the cultural voice for national and regional development, aspires to be a leading cultural foundation that uses culture as a development tool in contemporary society.

We believe that the most successful development programs will be those that not only understand the nuances that exist among different cultures, but those that integrate the positive elements within cultural institutions and work with cultural leaders as equal partners; recognize positive cultural contexts and culture as a key framework that defines our choices, opportunities and abilities.

Some of our initiatives that we’ve implemented include the bursary scheme for primary school girls, and scholarship for secondary and university female students; SRHR advocacy campaigns for both women and men; support to youth and women income generating projects; and our flagship program the Ekisaakaate kya Nnabagereka a children’s cultural camp which is founded on the cultural values of social responsibility, industriousness, integrity, respect for diversity, and discipline. As a result, children who go through the Ekisaakaate not only learn their native language, etiquette, personal and spiritual development, they also acquire leadership, business and entrepreneurship skills.

I commit to continue tirelessly with these efforts because while a lot has been achieved, there is still much more to be done.

Ladies and Gentlemen: I hope that what you all see and hear during this Convention translates into measurable and sustainable prosperity for the children, women and men of Uganda. I wish you all fruitful deliberations.

Thank you, and God Bless you.
THE NNABAGEREKA
HRH SYLVIA NAGGINDA LUSWATA

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24/05/2020

Video 2015: Remarks by Ms Doris Akol, Commissioner General, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)

Doris started by giving a background of URA. In 1991, URA was set up as an agency of the Central Government for the administration and collection of specified taxes and revenues in accordance with various taxation statutes.

URA took over the revenue collection functions of the former tax departments under the Ministry of Finance. The vision was to collect revenue competitively, contractually and in a business-like manner.

In her presentation she highlighted the relationship between taxation and investment promotion which is to streamlined tax policy and administration system to facilitate investment promotion through a number of ways that range from; simplified processes relating to registration and payment of taxes, flexibility in tax laws and regulations and general availability of tax information to improve the investment climate. All these act as catalysts for boosting domestic and foreign direct investment.

Uganda is a politically stable country blessed with favourable climatic conditions, a relatively large labour force and open markets presenting a population of 145 million EAC consumers, 400 million consumers in COMESA and SADC (215million) as well as preferential access to the EU and US markets. Further significant oil reserves estimated at 3.5Billion Barrels, including 1.8Bilion that are recoverable presents great opportunity for Foreign Direct Investment. If Uganda is to reap from the existence of such abundant resources, government needs to generate sufficient revenue to facilitate investments in infrastructure in form of roads, energy and processing plants, developing the human capital based (skilled labour) and ensuring political stability. Therefore, the linkage between taxation and investment cannot be ignored.

On the current Investment Opportunities. The Government prioritized building and improving infrastructure, including energy production, lowered tariffs and trade barriers for international trade, and generally welcomes FDI.

On top of Tax incentives, Uganda offers incentives in four priority sectors: information and communication technology, tourism, value added agriculture, and value added investments in mineral extraction. Uganda is also hoping to lure additional investors with several industrial parks under development in Uganda’s largest urban centres including Jinja, Kasese, Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu and Soroti. Investors in priority sectors can get a 49year lease in an industrial park on the outskirts of Kampala without paying the usual $80,000 lease fee. The Namanve industrial park on the outskirts of Kampala has several large international companies already operating divided into four main industrial clusters: Food processing, light industry and services, heavy industry, and another for SMEs.

On tax reforms in Uganda she presented that the Government of Uganda has particularly made effort to rebuild the economy from three major fronts; fostering development of a private sector led self-sustaining economy; rehabilitating and developing the necessary economic infrastructure to facilitate investment and production and mobilizing internal resources to minimize economic overdependence (Deficit finance). These fronts are enabling Government to build a strong economy that will not only increase the levels of income but also strengthen the country’s resource base. With a strong economy it is certain that Uganda is moving towards developing an adequate and sustainable tax revenue base.

On revenue performance , the extensive impact of the URA transformation journey during the last decade have manifested through revenue collections growth and by end of Financial Year 2013/14, domestic revenues were in position to support 71.5% of the national budget that previously funded only 58.7% in FY 2004/05. This signified a growth rate of 317.5% (Ugx1.92trillion to Ugx8.03trillion) for the period 2004/5 – 2013/14. Uganda’s revenue collection growth competes at an average rate of 17.25% for the past ten (10) years against the region’s 16.46% for the period between FY 2005/06 to FY 2013/14.

On the Informal Sector & Uganda’s Tax Base. She emphasized the need for Uganda to formalize businesses. The Informal sector is estimated at 52.4% of the GDP (UBOS, 2014). In 2002 the size was 43%.

Top ranking economic sectors which are highly informal are agriculture (27%), Wholesale & Retail (24%), food processing (15%) and Manufacturing (14%). The informal sector employs more than 70% to 80% of the labour force (UBOS, 2014) while 59.8% of Ugandans are employed in the non-agriculture informal sector (ILO, 2012).

Applause: Uganda is currently funding a recurrent expenditure budget at 100% out of locally collected revenues.

Some of the achievements by the government utilizing domestically mobilized revenues has had the share of population with access to electricity, has risen from 10% in 2009 to 14% in 2013 following the completion of the 250 MW Bujagali Hydropower Project and other mini power projects.

Government is determined to provide electricity for manufacturing at 4 US$ cents per unit whatever the challenges. Preliminary work on the construction of the Oil Refinery near Hoima is ongoing financed by government revenues at UgShs 14.7 billion. Heavy investment in the improvement of road network using government revenue has recorded the following achievements; The proportion of national paved roads in fair to good condition increased from 74 percent in financial year 2010/11 to 80 percent in financial year 2013/14, and this is projected to improve to 85 percent in this year; and The condition of national unpaved roads in fair to good condition has increased from 64 percent to 67 percent over the same period, exceeding the NDPI target of 55 percent.

On regional integration, Uganda will benefit Ease of doing business through improved customs clearance procedures, enhancing service provision at border points by introducing a 24 hour working system; offer fast clearing services especially for large trucks and reduce time taken for the verification of documents; freedom of movement of goods by removing any border restrictions, accepting the use of one common EAC identification document and ensuring the same standards for document verification at all borders this will reduce time wastage. And harmonization of Tax Procedures of all member countries to make it easy for investors to invest in any country. Uganda is part of the East African single customs territory, thus, URA has offices in Kenya to administer and implement a single customs territory where goods are recognised and revenue is declared and collected at that point.

She appealed delegates to take advantage of incentives and exemptions that are provided in the tax laws in making investment decisions. This requires knowledge on available incentives and how you can invest in areas that can give a head start as far as tax incentives are concerned.

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19/05/2020

Video 2015: Remarks by Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the Opposition Chief Whip

Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the Opposition Chief Whip, as a commercial farmer shared the importance of agriculture to Ugandans. She pointed out that 26% GDP is contributed by agriculture and 66% of the workforce in Uganda is involved in agriculture. In order for the government to reduce poverty in Uganda, more investment is needed in the agriculture sector. She appealed to Ugandans in the Diaspora to help the parliament in policy understanding because the rate of growth in the sector is still very low at just 1.5% and the share of the budget is just a mere 2.98% of the total budget which should have been 5% as prescribed by the government. She emphasized the importance of land tenure law transformation and utilizing it fully to alleviate poverty in Uganda.

She also advised investors to negotiate leasing land with land owners to make them involved and utilizing the land for future generations. It is an asset that needs to be exploited for the interest of the people of Uganda. She also added that Uganda is endowed with arable land that can be utilized to curb the unemployment of the youth.

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16/04/2020

Video: Remarks by Lord Mohammed Sheikh is a life member of the House of Lords and a businessman

Lord Mohammed Sheikh is a life member of the House of Lords and a businessman. Lord Sheikh was born in Kenya but grew up in Mbale-Uganda. Lord Sheikh has excelled in business and politics in the UK and was recently awarded a doctorate due to his humanitarian work. His main emphasis in the House of Lords and at the Convention was the importance of the United Kingdom building its bilateral trade with the African continent. He disclosed that Uganda is regarded and should be one of UK’s most important bilateral trade partners in the future. Uganda provides an enormous wealth of diverse economic opportunity, a growing market of more than 38 million people, estimated to increase to 47 million in the next ten years. He commended the government for the economic growth and for maintaining an average GDP growth of 6.5 in the last twenty years, not to mention that it is among the 10 fastest growing economies in Africa. Lord Sheikh adamantly believes that Uganda soon will be joining the 7% club of countries that are achieving an economic growth of 7%. He commended the President for bringing peace and stability to Uganda and the region which is the basis of investors to a country. He cited that UK should concentrate more on trade rather than aid, nevertheless aid and trade must go forward simultaneously.

He repeatedly stressed on the seriousness of corruption, a scourge that needs to be dealt with. He was happy to note that the Uganda government is firm on dealing with corruption.

It also must be noted that UK has the largest number of Ugandan Diaspora in Europe. He encouraged Diasporas to get more involved in business in Uganda while keeping their foothold and connection in the UK. He finally said that Uganda hasn’t lost its luster and that Uganda, as the pearl of Africa, is getting shinier and shinier!

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26/03/2020

Flashback 2015: Remarks by Dr Josephine Ojiambo Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General

I am honoured to be invited to make some brief remarks to you. I bring warm greetings from Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General.

It is heartening to note that you have chosen the theme of “Turning Growth into Prosperity”, and that you have been able to assemble a most impressive set of Speakers who will ably address various aspects of how to promote trade and investment in Uganda and how growth can be turned into prosperity.

The Commonwealth has been a strong partner of Uganda for many years, and Ugandans have played prominent roles in the Secretariat and in its governance. President Yoweri Museveni served as Chairperson-in-Office from 2007 until 2009, and that Uganda hosted CHOGM in 2007. Mrs Florence Mugasha served as Deputy-Secretary-General (Political) from 2002-2008. The Late Professor Yusufu Lule, former President of Uganda, served as Assistant Secretary-General in the early 1970s.

There is a direct correlation between the growth and prosperity and the advancement of political values in any region and in the wider Commonwealth family of states and peoples. It has been said that democracy and development are two sides of the same coin. That is why Commonwealth has been active in supporting democratic processes and institutions. We support member states’ efforts to reform political processes and strengthen political institutions. The Commonwealth has also invited eminent Ugandan citizens to lead and support our work in democracy building and democratic processes.

We are preparing for CHOGM 2015, which will be held in Malta from 27-29 November 2015. The special theme of CHOGM 2015 focuses on the Commonwealth ‘Adding Global Value’.

The four broad areas of focus for this CHOGM are: COMMONWEALTH POLITICAL VALUES, COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT VALUES, CLIMATE CHANGE and COMMONWEALTH RELEVANCE AND IMPACT.

It is hoped that Heads will use the opportunity of discussing the outcomes of the UN processes on the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda and the related Financing for Development process, and the actions Commonwealth members can take to accelerate implementation of outcomes.

More broadly, the following issues have emerged:

- Climate change in the context of the Paris meeting of the UNFCCC in December 2015 – with a focus on issues of particular relevance to Commonwealth states. (e.g. climate finance, support to states affected by climate-induced natural disasters; the challenges of climate and development; and the challenges for small and coastal states);
- Current global security challenges and the range of domestic, regional and global policy responses required to address e.g. violent extremism in diverse communities, and illegal migration and human trafficking;
- Sustainable and inclusive development focus on the outcomes of the UN process on the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda and the related Financing for Development process, and the actions Commonwealth members can take to accelerate implementation of outcomes;
- Providing impetus to the 10th WTO Ministerial Meeting in Nairobi in December, through a political statement on multilateral trade; and
- Perspectives on harnessing the opportunities of the blue economy.

In terms of practicalities, at this CHOGM we hope to, amongst other things,:

(i) launch the Commonwealth Climate Finance Skills Hub that is being currently developed in partnership with the Government of Mauritius;
(ii) launch formally the Small States Centre of Excellence that the Government of Malta has offered to host and for which we are currently working internally on a proof of concept;
(iii) launch the Small States Trade Finance Facility, which again is envisaged to be based in Malta;
(iv) underline our priority for young people through several targeted youth initiatives; and
v) reaffirm political commitment through practical activities like enhanced and strengthened mandate of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.
This year, for the first time, the Commonwealth will be hosting a Women’s Forum. This is in addition to the regular CHOGM parallel events of the Business Forum, People’s Forum and Youth Forum.

CMAG

While there is currently no country on CMAG’s formal agenda, the Group has held discussions under its informal agenda on a range of issues, in line with its 2011 mandate from Heads of Government to act as a custodian of Commonwealth fundamental political values.
CMAG’s discussions have focused around the eight ‘circumstances’ identified in CMAG’s mandate for assessing serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values. These include: the prevention of the lawful functioning of parliament; a seriously flawed national electoral process; the systematic denial of political space; the undermining of the independence of the judiciary; and significant restrictions on media and civil society; among others.
The Group’s aim is to have a more constructive engagement with member countries who are experiencing serious challenges, rather than being perceived as a solely punitive body. CMAG views its role as also being one of offering guidance and support, to help countries avoid any escalation of problems.
The next scheduled meeting of CMAG is due to take place on 25 September, in the margins of the UNGA.

Relevant Trade Initiatives – to reflect upon as necessary

Some areas of support provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat to Uganda include support to Ministry of Trade develop a Strategic Action Plan to Implement Electronic Single Window Intervention focused on addressing issues in support of establishing appropriate mechanisms to enable Uganda to participate effectively in the global trading system. Another area of support provided was on the development of Uganda’s National Export Strategy.

The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development organised a conference on “Mega-Trading Blocs and the Future of African Trade: Moving from Fragmentation to Inclusive Trade Multilateralism” on 26-27 May 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Thirty five (35) participants attended the conference representing Ministries of Trade and Industry, standard-setting bodies, regional organisations, think-tanks and academia, and the private sector. The broad objectives of this conference were twofold:

to assist Sub-Saharan African policymakers and standard-setting bodies assess the policy implications and impact of mega-regional trade arrangements; and
to explore how African countries can adjust to this new reality and what support they may require. Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and the National Bureau of Standards participated in this conference.

The Commonwealth Secretariat organised a workshop in Kigali, Rwanda on 18-19 May 2015 on Post-Bali WTO issues and to assist African countries prepare for the forthcoming 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

The Commonwealth Secretariat also organised the first ever pan-Commonwealth Trade Symposium on 23 and 24 June in Johannesburg, South Africa. The theme for the inaugural Commonwealth symposium was: “Shaping a Global Trade Agenda for Development”. This symposium presented a platform for senior officials to discuss and debate topical trade and development issues of interest to our members, especially small states, LDCs and Sub-Saharan Africa.

I thank you for this opportunity to address you.

Remarks by Dr Josephine Ojiambo Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General

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23/03/2020

2015 Flashback: Round table discussion on policy engagement with the Diaspora. (Video)

Onyekachi Wambu, director of African Foundation For Development (AFFORD), conducted a panel discussion on the importance of Diaspore engagement with development in their country of origin. In the last twenty years since a group of young Diaspora Africans in the UK came together to establish the organisation, every multilateral organisation from the World Bank, the AfDB, IMF and others now recognition the crucial role that the Diaspora play in the development of their country of origin. We know now for instance that the Diaspora remittances to Africa are far greater than foreign aid to the continent. From its offices in London, AFFORD now campaigns for Diaspora engagement at government, European Union and UN levels.

The question of dual nationality for Ugandans inevitably had a lot of interest within the convention. Among the issues of concern, was the high fees demanded for registration for a passport. It was also felt by many that there ought to be preferential treatment for members of the Diaspora who wish to invest back in Uganda. At the moment they are treated no differently from any foreign investor. Speakers noted that any incentives to the Diaspora would increase inward investment considerably, profiting not only members of the Diaspora themselves, but, the nation as a whole, through increased economic activity.

To the delight of many at the convention, Dr Francis Apetit noted that he saw no reason why the issue of dual citizenship which had after all been passed by Parliament, still had teething problems. He undertook to table questions in Parliament to ensure that all issues relating to dual citizenship were resolved without further delay.

As always, the convention provided great opportunities for networking, and the fostering of unity among Ugandans.

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02/03/2020

Flashback: Presentation by Commissioner General (URA), Ms. Doris Akol at the 5th Uganda Convention in UK

Ms Doris started by giving a background of URA. In 1991, URA was set up as an agency of the Central Government for the administration and collection of specified taxes and revenues in accordance with various taxation statutes.

On the Informal Sector & Uganda’s Tax Base. She emphasized the need for Uganda to formalize businesses. The Informal sector is estimated at 52.4% of the GDP (UBOS, 2014). In 2002 the size was 43%.

Applause: Uganda is currently funding a recurrent expenditure budget at 100% out of locally collected revenues.

Government is determined to provide electricity for manufacturing at 4 US cents per unit whatever the challenges. Preliminary work on the construction of the Oil Refinery near Hoima is ongoing financed by government revenues at UgShs 14.7 billion. Heavy investment in the improvement of road network using government revenue has recorded the following achievements; The proportion of national paved roads in fair to good condition increased from 74 percent in financial year 2010/11 to 80 percent in financial year 2013/14, and this is projected to improve to 85 percent in this year; and The condition of national unpaved roads in fair to good condition has increased from 64 percent to 67 percent over the same period, exceeding the NDPI target of 55 percent.

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02/02/2020

Lord Sheikh is dedicated to promote bilateral trade between UK and the African continent.

During his recent speech at the House of Lords, Lord Sheikh emphasized his interest to promote more business between the United Kingdom and overseas countries. He stated that this will be one of the driving forces of UK’s continued recovery. Ultimately, it will help UK to balance its budget and reduce its national debt. He also talked of his personal affinity with Africa, as he was born in Kenya and spent his formative years in Uganda.

Lord Sheikh has travelled across the continent, spoken at various meetings, met African businessmen and has first-hand knowledge of what Africa has to offer. Africa’s continent’s GDP is expected to grow by 4.5% this year and 5% next year. Furthermore, many African states have been members of the much-admired “7% club” in recent years. A number of economists have predicted that Africa could account for 7% of the global economy by 2040. Africa has a huge land area and an abundance of untapped natural resources. These include substantial reserves of oil, minerals, food and natural resources, and will undoubtedly serve much of the world’s demands in the future, he said.

Africa offers so much but, like any other economy, it has its challenges and vulnerabilities. Africa has realised these challenges and is already working hard to address them. At the moment, a conference is being held in South Africa where one of the subjects being discussed is the growth of the continent’s economy and achieving prosperity.

Recently, Lord Sheikh hosted and spoke at an event for the Economic Community of West African States, a body of 15 West African countries with a vision of collective self-sufficiency for their member states. They are creating an integrated region with mutual access to resources and investment opportunities.

Lord Sheikh also met African businessmen who are very keen to promote trade between the UK and Ghana. It is worthwhile to note that UK is accelerating its trade with Ghana, as it is a stable country with good governance. Similarly, last year, he spoke at an event for the Southern African Development Community. It is a great example of fluid multilateral co-operation to encourage economic growth. It is investing in projects aimed at improving infrastructure in the region.

At a recent dinner held by the Association for African Owned Enterprises, Lord Sheikh was awarded the lifetime achievement award for his involvement in trade with Africa. In 2014, during his speech at the Ugandan investment Convention in London, he said that UK is Uganda’s largest foreign direct investor with investment worth over 1.1billion dollars. Since UK has historical ties with Uganda, he believes that if the ties are strengthened further, it will create more business links and opportunities for the two countries.

African countries are also moving quickly to improve their investment climate and conditions for doing business. Last year, a World Bank report found that Africa comprises five of the top 10 places in the world with the most reforms making it easier to do business. The same report found that since 2005, all African countries have improved the business regulatory environment for small and medium-sized businesses. Foreign direct investment is gradually moving away from mineral resources into consumer goods and services. This is in response to the needs of a growing middle class. Manufactured goods now constitute nearly 40% of intra- African exports. These changes present an unprecedented opportunity for overseas businesses to get involved. UK must capitalise now before it is too late.

The UK’s current engagement with Africa is based too heavily on aid and long-established commodity-based businesses. Lord Sheikh says that new British companies need to enter the African market, and that the continent should be helped to grow rather than simply be supported with aid contributions. This in turn will help the UK to grow further as well.

The UK already has a natural advantage with the significant African Diaspora settled here. Businesses should look to engage with these people in seeking to connect with Africa for the first time. There is of course a young and hungry new workforce in Africa, ready for foreign investors to utilise. Indeed, it is estimated that Africa’s share of the global workforce will increase from 12% to 23% by 2050. The United Kingdom must do more to help unlock this potential. Lord Sheikh stated that as someone who has a business as well as an academic background, he would like to see more partnerships between British and African universities. UK must help to build practical vocational programmes and increase access to secondary and further education. Young Africans need to develop new skills in order to properly navigate what is a rapidly changing career landscape for them.

Lord Sheikh is a fervent supporter of trade through Commonwealth. It is in Britain’s economic interests to utilise what is essentially a ready-made trading bloc that covers a third of the world’s population. Many African countries are part of the Commonwealth, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria. He was pleased to note the Government’s recent enthusiasm for working with the new Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

He advised that UK must surge ahead of the rest of Europe, and indeed the rest of the world. It is also crucial that the relevant people and bodies work together in order to maximise UK’s trade efforts. It must pool its talents as much as possible. The expertise from the Foreign Office, the Department for International Development, UK Trade & Investment and the private sector must all be combined and work in tandem to accelerate the trade activities.

The Lord further continued that UK high commissions and embassies in African countries can take an active role in notifying relevant companies in the UK of the opportunities and tenders available for bidding in the countries where they serve. Trade exhibitions and visits of delegations should be arranged to suitable African countries.

Also the embassies and high commissions of African countries should prepare details of the opportunities available in their countries and provide them to interested parties in the UK.

Africa is made up of 54 countries and each does business in a slightly different way. Local knowledge will help shape investment models that present African ventures to reflect their true commercial value. The UK will be left behind if it does not address its international trade engagement strategies with Africa. For future growth, and to see new UK companies enter the African markets, there is a need to look at individual sectors and have more of a business approach to engagement with Africa.

Particular areas that UK companies can look at are construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, minerals, IT, agriculture, the financial services sector and export of goods from the UK.

Lord Sheikh urged that the time to act is now and businesses at home must connect with the overseas markets of the future. From more overseas trade will come growth, and from growth will come prosperity and stability. UK has unique services and products which it can offer to Africa. No other continent offers such a unique mix of opportunities and challenges. Indeed, Lord Sheikh believes that the opportunities far outweigh the challenges.

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01/02/2020

Video: Remarks by Mr Nuradin Osman, Director of Operations, Africa and Middle East at AGCO

Mr Nuradin Osman, Director of Operations, Africa and Middle East at AGCO, started by giving an overview of his company whose vision is providing high-tech solutions for professional farmers feeding the world. With a mission to promote profitable growth through superior customer service, innovation, quality and commitment to its customers globally, ACGO, a worldwide and largest manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, has core brands including Challenger tractors, Fendt, GSI, Massey Fergusson and Valtra.

Mr Osman shared a video on AGCO’s Future Farm vision which is to support sustainable food production systems and increase farm output by using agricultural resources more efficiently. The 150-hectare farm is divided into a wide range of demonstration crop areas all cultivated, planted and harvested using AGCO’s full-line of agricultural equipment, and with support from commercial and not for profit partners from across the value chain. Its facilities will include a state-of-the-art Mechanization Learning Center as well as a Grain and Poultry Learning Center, each a first of its kind for Africa.

On AGCO’s Future Farm, those supporting small to medium scale farmers with limited access to modern farming practices will benefit from a range of training courses from basic agronomy, post-harvest solutions and mechanization. Training on best practice for protein production, grain storage and precision farming technologies will target the needs of large-scale commercial farming. “For us, inclusive, sustainable mechanization means designing our products with Africa in mind. It means building our products on the continent and supporting our products and customers locally with parts from our new logistics center in Johannesburg. It means providing local farmers with education in core agricultural practices and training operators, mechanics as well as our local dealers on how to operate, service and maintain agricultural equipment.”

Mechanization is the critical ingredient to raising agricultural productivity in Africa although other constraints are slowing the speed of progress and need to be tackled in parallel. Factors include inadequate access to and use of improved seed, the right blends of fertilizers; the need for favorable trade and land policies; quality post-harvest management solutions and functional markets for harvested crops.

He talked of challenges on increasing usage of tractors per acreage to boost mechanisation in Africa. He cited that in USA, 25 tractors are used per 1000HA while 1 is used in Africa. Other challenges include: Africa has the land, but farm technology levels are very low, under-investment in farm equipment, yields well below Western levels and market remains challenged due to credit constraints.

He explained AGCO’s strategy for sustainable mechanization: 100USD$ has been invested in Africa in various projects including 3500 tractors in Joint Venture in Algeria, Global Series Tractor Launch, Emerging Farmer Package, Bags2Bulk, USD$35Million in Johannesburg state of the art parts warehouse and a USD$10Million Future Farm Concept in Zambia. He finally said that managing agriculture is very important and can lead to Africa feeding the world. 65% of the world’s arable land is in Africa but still under-utilized. Also, he emphasized the importance of attracting youth to agriculture. He reported that less than 2% of graduate in Africa are registered in agriculture and these are the future of Africa.

He concluded by disclosing that AGCO is developing a package for small scale farmers. A competitively priced mechanization package combined with strong brands, partnerships, education and distribution in all African markets is a game changer and these will include; trailer/ box, planter, disc harrow, disc plough, sub-soiler and a tractor for under $20,000.

In addition, he confirmed AGCO’s commitment in investing in Uganda and that AGCO, with partners, are planning to establish a vertically integrated poultry production which will soon be a reality.

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