Blog: Good news: Bank of Africa-Uganda has joined the 1st Ugandan Convention in UK as a sponsor.

Good news: Bank of Africa-Uganda has joined the 1st Ugandan Convention in UK as a sponsor.

A warm welcome to our new sponsor, BANK OF AFRICA- UGANDA to the 1st Uganda Convention in UK taking place on 27th August 2011.

Ugandans in the Diaspora have lacked proper financial service from reputable institutions and thus find unnecessary challenges in obtaining funds for their personal or business ventures and essentially opening up accounts for their saving back home. This is mainly characterized by the lack of information on how to utilize banking and financial services in Uganda. BOA is well positioned to serve Ugandans in the Diaspora and has the necessary technology to appeal better to Ugandans in the Diaspora.

The Bank started its operations in 1984 and was bought by Banque Belgolaise and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) in 1996. In October 2006, the Bank joined the BANK OF AFRICA Group following the transfer of the Belgolaise shareholding to BANK OF AFRICA – KENYA, Aureos East Africa Fund LLC and Central Holdings Ltd. The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) continues to retain its interest in the ownership of the Bank. Over the years, we have increased our footprint in Uganda, catering for the Retail, SME and Corporate market segments.
Ownership

BANK OF AFRICA-KENYA Ltd is part of the BANK OF AFRICA Group, with total assets of over USD1.52billion. The Group, whose history goes back to Mali in 1982, now operates through a network of commercial banks in 11 countries; 6 in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Madagascar, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda, under the common name BANK OF AFRICA. The Group is equally active in the fields of insurance, mortgage, financial leasing and stock brokerage. BANK OF AFRICA has close relationships with PROPARCO, a subsidiary of Agence Francaise de Developpement, FMO and, with the French bank, NATEXIS Banques Populaires, who are all shareholders of the BANK OF AFRICA Group.

AUREOS East Africa Fund LLC (AEAF) is a USD40m private equity fund registered in Mauritius whose shareholders include the CDC Group plc, NORFUND, European Investment Bank, IFC, SECO, and FMO, among others. AEAF actively seeks to invest in and work with robust Small and Medium sized enterprises with a view to supporting their expansion ambitions. The Fund has invested in a number of companies in Kenya and Tanzania and is now focused on expanding its activities in Uganda with an especial interest in building pan-East African businesses.

FMO is a triple A-rated Development Bank, which supports the private sector in developing countries.
Within the financial sector, FMO focuses mainly on the provision of services to small and medium-sized enterprises by supporting young and pan-African financial institutions with equity stakes and local currency funding, mobilizing risk capital for SMEs, stimulating SME financing by larger, general banks; and mobilizing local financial means, such as savings and investments by local institutional investors.
Central Holdings Ltd on the other hand, is part of a large, well-run local manufacturing and investment property owning group whose owners have had intense knowledge of the bank’s operations, spanning many years.

Mr. Mutenza said that “it gives me great pleasure that the 15 years invested in promoting our Ugandan community cohesion is not wasted, probably most of private and government bodies in Uganda expressed interest to be part of this Nobel Convention initiative” This is an indication of the importance and recognition of the Diaspora market.

By Kayitesi Miria

Theme "unleashing Uganda's Diaspora potential"

Guest of honour: Maria Kiwanuka, Uganda's Minister of Finance

Check our website for updates

Uganda Convention UK's vision is to harness the tremendous skill, exposure,
expertise and knowledgebase of the Ugandan Diaspora with a view to promote socio-economic
and infrastructural development back in Uganda, thus promoting, contributing, enhancing and
sustaining economic growth in Uganda. Click here for our objectives

For more information or to register or book your ticket online click here or call +447426 201 055 or email: info@ugandanconventionuk.org

After-Party Concert & Fashion Show

The convention will celebrate the cultural diversity that Uganda is rich in. 4 Uganda fashion designers will be showcasing Uganda's cultural wear.

Top Ugandan musicians: Bebe Cool, Mesach Semakula and Eddy Kenzo will be around to spice up the After-Party that runs from 8.30pm to 3am. For info click here

Why attend?

Meet over 25 exhibitors – from Uganda and the Diaspora.
Explore opportunities on acquiring a mortgage in Uganda and engage with leading experts on raising finance in Uganda.
Explore, discuss, debate and Network with business leaders, experts, VIPs and fellow Ugandans, who will be sharing their expertise on how we can increase investment in Uganda.
Engage fully with fellow delegates, our sponsors and exhibitors at our speed networking sessions and above all have a face-to-face discussion and explanation on different investment and business opportunities on offer.
Discover expert advice on Business opportunities in Northern Uganda, utilising the New Southern Sudan potential.

Limited spaces available for the forums…register or buy your ticket online now! click here

Or call our hotline: +447426 201 055 or email: info@ugandanconventionuk.org

Recommended Hotel

Express by Holiday Inn – Limehouse

Distance from Troxy – 0.22miles | 1 minute

Tel: 0870 400 7203

The Express by Holiday Inn London Limehouse is the ideal location for
business and leisure travellers visiting London.

Travel Information

Located on the borders of the financial city district, Troxy is 10 minutes away from Bank, Shoreditch and Tower Hill and 10 minutes away from Docklands. Troxy is a highly accessible venue on Commercial Road between Pitsea Street and Caroline Street.

Tube/Docklands Light Railway (DLR)/National Rail
Troxy is located within a three minute walk of Limehouse Station which operates the DLR and C2C train networks. DLR trains to Limehouse from central London are accessible from Bank (Central/Circle/Northern & Waterloo & City Lines) and Tower Hill (Circle/District Lines) and are two stops (5 minutes) from either station. C2C operates trains from Liverpool Street through Limehouse and into Essex. For more info click here

Profile speakers

Maria Kiwanuka, Uganda's Minister of Finance

Hon. Maria Kiwanuka, the new Finance Minister is an Economist and businesswoman. She has been the Managing Director of Radio One and Radio Two (Akaboozi). She also served as a non-Executive Director on the Board of Directors of Aghakan Foundation (East Africa), The Nabagereka Development Trust, Nkumba University, Uganda Development Bank and Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited.

Bati Kawooya, Head of Diaspora – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bati heads the Diaspora Directorate in the ministry of Foreign Affairs. DSD plays the coordinating role for government in providing a comprehensive range of services to Ugandans abroad so as to facilitate their contribution to the country's social, economic, technological, and political development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has adopted international principles in recognizing and supporting the Diaspora to live and work in dignity in their host countries while assisting them to strengthen linkages and affinity with their homeland. Our mission is driven by two core values: partnership and professionalism.

Lord Sheikh, Chairman of the Conservative Party Muslim Forum (House of Lords, London)

Mohamed was born in Kenya and brought up in Uganda. His parents originated from the sub-continent of India. Mohamed attended Government schools in Mbale (Uganda) where he

attained the Cambridge Higher School Certificate.

Elly Karuhanga, President of Tullow Uganda and Director of Tullow Uganda, Tullow Oil plc

Elly Karuhanga, L.L.B serves as Legal Counsel of Uganda of IBI Corp. Mr. Karuhanga is involved in certain corporate activities, such as expected joint ventures undertaken by IBI in Uganda and in anticipated exploration and mining license acquisitions. He serves as Managing Partner of Kampala Associated Advocates, Uganda's leading law firm. He serves as President of Tullow Oil Uganda (Tullow Uganda), a subsidiary of Tullow Oil plc; two terms as a Member of Parliament; … Senior State Attorney in the Ministry of Justice; Advocate of the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Uganda; United Nations General Assembly Delegate from Uganda; Delegate to the World Trade Organization; Honorary consul of the Republic of the Seychelles; and Advisor to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, among other significant business and political achievements.

Khalid Sheikh, Chairman, Clifton packaging PLC

Khalid is a classic case study of riches to rags and back to riches. His love for Africa has always been in his blood and his dream to transform Africa lies in a vision called BABA, Buy African Build Africa. It is a plan Khalid says has potential to transform the Continent into a global player in trade and industrialisation. Having completed studying Accounting and Finance at Bristol Polytechnic and Diplomas in Economics and Business Management, Khalid decided to start his own business in the Packaging Industry.

Zain Latif, Principal, TLG Capital

TLG Capital was founded in 2009 by Zain Latif, a former Executive Director at Goldman Sachs in the New Markets division focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa across all products. Zain joined Goldman Sachs from Merrill Lynch where he was involved in originating and executing a number of groundbreaking emerging market transactions in Africa. Prior to Merrill Lynch, Zain spear-headed the special situations African effort at HSBC which culminated in the inaugural debt/equity hybrid structure for First Monument City Bank in Nigeria. Zain has a Masters degree in Finance from Cass Business School, City University.

Hon. Engola Sam, Minister of State for Housing

Hon. Engola will lead the delegation of business people from the Northern Uganda region and will be presenting a paper on business opportunities in Northern Uganda.

Cedric JALBAUD, OCM CAPITAL MARKETS LTD

Cedric is a Finance & Investment expert specialising in Pan-African Equity Sales & Trading at OCM Capital Markets.

Peter Mathews, The Foreign Press Association

Matthews has worked as senior desk officer in the European Commission in Brussels for the ACP (African Caribbean and Pacific) programme. He has seen the Europe Aid Programme for Africa grow to almost € 3 Billion and helped to fund a series of its projects. The changes in funding designed to support the private sector particularly for small businesses in Africa are his special interest. He believes that the African economy will surprise the world in the next few years.

Dr Titilola Banjoko, Africa Recruit

Dr Titi Banjoko is a healthcare professional with extensive experience in international development. She successfully pioneered the formation of Africa Recruit a programme designed to build capacity in Africa using human capital as the main driver.

Paul Nyakairu Kamuntu

Paul is the Secretary General at Ugandan National Chamber of Commerce & Industry; he is a senior Consultant and trainer in the fields of operational efficiency, best practice, systems, sales and service, and risk management. Also provide specialised training for growing institutions, in the areas of internal controls development, operational efficiency, risk management, and marketing.

Hon. Kibuule Ronald

Ronald Kibuule is the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs in the Ugandan Cabinet. He will be a keynote speaker on the youth forum.

Miraj Barot, Tirupati Developers

Miraj is the director of Marketing at Tirupati Developers and responsible with marketing all completed and ongoing property both in the local market and buyers in the diaspora.

Jaspal S Minhas, President LABA

Mr Jaspal Singh Minhas the President of the Leicester Asian Business Association (LABA). LABA strives to facilitate improvements in the business competitiveness of its members through being locally sensitive and both nationally and internationally aware.

Benon Biraaro, Founder and CEO Lift Uganda Project

Benon is the Founder and CEO of LIFT, LIFT stands for Local Investment for Transformation. LIFT looks to Ugandans and Africans of course with our friends, to mobilize finance capital in the form of equity for investment.

Badru Ntege, NFT Consultants

Badru is a Director New Business at NFT Consult Ltd. He is Responsible for growing Business opportunities in the current operation areas namely Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania.

And also opening new market areas.

Rino Solberg CEO, Better Globe Group

Rino Solberg is an international entrepreneur and Norwegian inventor, with patents in 12 countries. He built and ran his company Unislip for 13 years, with daughter companies in USA, Japan and Germany and with agents in 20 countries. He sold the company 20 years ago.

Rino is known as a dynamic motivational speaker in Norway, working for more than 35 years. He is an author of 9 books in the area of personal development and leadership; such as Put Integrity First. He has helped more than 150 companies in Norway, Uganda and Kenya by implementing and get certified to ISO 9000 quality system.

John Mussajjakawa, Uganda Investment Authority

John Mussajjakawa is a Senior Investment Executive of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) – a government body that promotes and facilitates investors in Uganda Founded in 1991.

And many others