Ottawa, (CA):- The seventh edition of the Uganda Canada Convention ended over the weekend with opportunities for Ugandans in trade, tourism, investment, agribusiness, education, healthcare, Diaspora banking, mortgage financing, venture capital, Diaspora SMEs, and money transfer among others available to be exploited.
The 7th edition of the convention which took place at Ottawa Marriott Hotel saw officials from Government department representatives from NIRA & Internal Affairs (Immigration Control) give services to Ugandans, ranging from national identification cards, and passport renewal to dual citizenship registration.
The Chief Guest at the convention, who is also Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Ruth Joy Aceng, assured that both countries have always enjoyed strong ties, calling upon Ugandans to take advantage & promote the vast opportunities in the Pearl of Africa.
“…I closed the 7th Uganda Canada trade and tourism convention and told my Diaspora that they are the best Ambassadors of Uganda because they know their country better,” Amb Aceng stated.
The former Minister of State for Trade, Hon. Harriet Ntabazi, hailed the Uganda-Canada bilateral ties, adding that this has now been bolstered by the engagement in the exchange of goods and services, tourism and investment. She also emphasised that Uganda continues to negotiate outside markets.
Speaking at the same event, The Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, stressed the need for togetherness among Ugandans living overseas.
“Diaspora is a very powerful community to any country, there is an urgent need to re-focus on non-political activities, non-confrontational, prioritise work and Africanity, to deliver Uganda and Africa at large as stipulated by the African Union 6th Region and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”
In addition, Ambassador Walusimbi revealed that the government has embarked on a Diaspora mapping and benchmarking program, to address the issues affecting Ugandan Diaspora communities, globally.
Hence, the Diaspora boss appealed to Ugandans abroad, to support, cooperate and participate, as the information will help in the Diaspora policy formulation.
Mohammed Bagonza, a Senior Presidential Advisor, reckoned that it’s a priority to match and link ideas and concepts of Ugandans in the Diaspora, to existing government initiatives and programs. This way, he added, we can harness the Diaspora’s full potential to contribute to the country’s growth and development.
In concluding remarks, the CEO Uganda Diaspora Network & Coordinator of the Uganda Canada Convention, Ronnie Mayanja, thanked the Government of Uganda, and community members, for supporting the initiative.
Mayanja noted that the annual Uganda Diaspora Social Networking Gala & Business Breakfast will continue to present opportunities for the economic and social growth of all Ugandans.
The colourful event had over 300 attendees from Uganda and across the globe, climaxing with dinner and entertainment from cultural dance troupes.
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