Welcome Message By: Her Excellency Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, Uganda High Commissioner, London
It is with great pleasure and honour that I extend a warm welcome to all participants of the 6th annual Uganda – United Kingdom Trade and Investment Convention, September 2016.
Indeed, this convention has become the only Trade and Investment Forum attracting the largest gathering of Ugandans both from home and in the diaspora. The convention is an enviable platform that brings together experts in the business world, financiers, scholars, policy makers and renowned leaders from around the world to share knowledge, ideas and to learn more about Uganda and what great investment opportunities our beloved country has to offer.
Therefore, the theme of the Convention “Why Invest in Uganda Now” is very relevant and highlights the importance of this convention in the context of Uganda’s drive to transforming its economy and realising its full economic potential through Vision 2040. Uganda has economically performed well over the past two decades, with a sustained record of seven percent average gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and halving the number of people living in abject poverty from 56% of the population in 1992 to 24% in 2010. Currently, Uganda’s economic activity is mainly underpinned by government’s efforts in public investment in infrastructure, recovery in private domestic consumption and investment demand, as well as renewed vigour in promoting investment in the agricultural sector.
The Convention will no doubt provide a wonderful platform for all potential investors to know more about Uganda’s economic potential and the guaranteed peace, security of the public and personal property which has so prevailed in Uganda over the last few years. Indeed, the Convention offers great opportunity for networking and meeting with senior Government officials from Uganda and investors already doing business in Uganda.
I am proud to note that the Ugandan Convention UK has over the years become more relevant in attracting in-ward investment to Uganda, but has also matured in terms of organisation capacity and now attracts many delegates and exhibitors from across the world.
We are very honoured to have as our keynote speakers, The Rt. Honourable Prime Minister of the Uganda, The Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, His Majesty the King of Bunyoro, Distinguished leaders from Her Majesty’s Government and all delegates from Uganda and beyond.
I am happy to acknowledge the presence of our existing and potential development partners, and would like at the same time to assure you of our Government’s resolve to continue working with you to transform Uganda into a prosperous country within the next few years as we harness our economic potential together.
I would like to thank the organisers of this convention, in particular, the Chairman of Ugandan Convention UK, Mr. Willy Mutenza and his Executive Committee for the hard work in organising this Event which has no doubt become an important annual event in which we continue to build networks and bring people together for the good of our country.
I hope that you will find the Convention rewarding in terms of content and meet expectations, knowledge and first-hand experiences in Uganda’s conducive economic environment.
I wish you exciting and fruitful deliberations.
For God and my Country
Her Excellency,
Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda
Uganda High Commissioner, London