TORONTO, (CA): The Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, who doubles as NRM Diaspora League Chairperson, Ambassador Hajj Abbey Walusimbi has reiterated his call for a Diaspora resource pool which he says if realized can be very key to creating a bigger social impact back home.
Amb Walusimbi was speaking shortly before the 3rd Deputy Premier, Rt. Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, who on Saturday officially opened the two-day Canada NRM Chapter Symposium, at Woodbine Banquet & Convention Hotel & Suites, Toronto City over the weekend.
“I reiterate my appeal for a Diaspora resource pool spearheaded by us in the NRM community, where we can deposit money and skills to be invested back home,” said Walusimbi attracting thunderous cheers from the audience.
For starters, since the NRM government came to power, there has been a fundamental shift of government policy toward the Diaspora community, painting a positive picture from a negative brain drain syndrome to an amplified economic gain.
Several times, the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has publicly acknowledged the contribution of diasporas, emphasizing that they’re Uganda’s most precious investors.
In his remarks, Walusimbi reckoned that Diaspora members already invest in real estate, entrepreneurial businesses, and capital markets. Sometimes they pool their money with friends or form an investment consortium, but without formal organizations, and guidance on investment, it will remain a piecemeal endeavour that can only affect development indirectly.
“We can’t leave the development of our motherland to only the foreign investors. While I acknowledge their massive contributions to our economy, it’s time we also wake up to supplement their efforts”, Hajj Walusimbi added.
Furthermore, the Ambassador revealed that H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni donated land for the Diaspora industrial park, which they should utilize for existing opportunities in agro-processing, hospitality, tourism, education and health sectors, among others.
He told the Ugandan community in Canada to work together, and equally play an important role in waving the Ugandan flag high, adding that this will create partnerships aimed at fostering development back home.
Walusimbi noted that this should be under the guiding principles of patriotism, pan-Africanism, democracy, and socio-economic transformation.
“Together let’s work towards a future where Uganda stands tall on the global stage, a nation that embodies the ideals of unity, dialogue, peace, prosperity and inclusivity”, he stressed.
Besides, the Senior Immigration Officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Igella Patrick, made a presentation on immigration & citizenship, regarding passport renewal, calling upon members to apply for e-passports.
On his part, the Chairperson of the NRM chapter in Canada, Mr Fred Kinene, commended His Excellency President Museveni for his continued support toward the annual occasion. He said this, is the second event and promised to keep rotating them, starting next year.
The Symposium which ran from Friday, August 11 to Sunday 13th was attended by; Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Ambassador Joy Ruth Acheng, Presidency Minister, Hon. Milly Babalanda, Lands Minister, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Presidency Minister, NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja, Members of Parliament.
Others were; NRM Director for Administration and Finance, Hajat Medina Naham Ojale, Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs, Spokesperson of NRM party, Rogers Mulindwa, Moses Byaruhanga & Presidential Aide, Sandra Ndyomugyenyi.
Also at the event were officials from Foreign & Internal Affairs & Education Ministries, Presidential Advisors and Assistants, including Hon. Mutyabule Florence, and Uganda Hotel Owners Association Chairperson, Susan Muhwezi, among others.
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