On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I would like to announce that the annual Home is Best events geared towards our fellow brothers and sisters in the Diaspora will be taking place in Gulu from 15th to 19th December 2014.
This year, 2014, Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) in collaboration with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is organizing a one week multi-activity event including a products and services exhibition, cultural gala, seminars, business to business meetings, and to crown it all an investment summit on 19th December 2014, at which H.E. the President is invited to be Chief Guest.
The summit is expected to attract 200 to 400 people and will show case Northern Uganda as a viable and safe location to invest, as well as present success stories of Diaspora investment and untapped vast business opportunities. Business people from the EAC member countries and the immediate beyond are expected to attend, considering that the Northern region is strategically located to enable easy access to show goers and exhibitors from Kenya, Southern Sudan and the DR Congo.
It is hoped that the Home is Best Summit will change the stereo type notion that Northern Uganda is war ravaged and unsafe. The Government of Uganda is committed to ensuring that the sustained peace in the region will continue to provide a conducive environment for trade and investment. Our fellow Ugandans in the Diaspora and all those resident here from all over the country are encouraged to make the trip to Gulu to explore the business opportunities in agro processing, mining, tourism and real estate, among others. Northern Uganda, which comprises thirty four (34) districts, is rich in arable land for agriculture, affordable skilled and manual labour, as well as improved infrastructure.
On behalf of Uganda Investment Authority and Government, I salute the investment efforts from the Ugandans in the Diapsora, the business community in Uganda (which increasingly drives the development of the country’s economy) and call upon all Ugandans seeking to invest their money, to consider this time round attending the Summit at which new networks may result into significant investment, which at the of the day contributes to the development needs of the country. Remittances from the Diaspora continue to prove to be an invaluable source of investment funds despite the difficult economic times abroad. For the last four years Ugandans have been bringing in an average of more than US$ 700 million annually according to Bank of Uganda, which is a big improvement from US$ 165 in 1998.
I also take this opportunity to thank UNDP for their continued support at funding Uganda’s Diapora projects implemented by the Uganda Investment Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We also appreciate the efforts of Bank of Uganda, with whom UIA has partnered in various Diaspora projects. This year, the Bank has come on board to sponsor and take part in the planning process. International Alert has also sponsored the event significantly, for which UIA is grateful. Other friends like Ecobank and others are looking at the event quite positively.
Thank you
Eng Dr Frank Sebbowa EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tel: 0414 301110 / 301111 / 301114
