The Convention is pleased to welcome Lord Popat, as one of our VIP guests on the 13th September at Troxy.

22/08/2014

The organisers of the 2014 Ugandan Convention UK are delighted to welcome Lord Popat, as one of our VIP guests on the 13^th September at Troxy. Lord Popat’s journey from leaving Uganda at a young age to becoming one of wealthiest men in the UK, and a well-respected political figure, is truly inspirational. Lord Popat is highly committed to encouraging Ugandans to invest in the development their home country, and his presence at the convention is much appreciated.

The Ugandan Convention has become the largest Ugandan gathering in Europe, attracting more than 2000 delegates designed to promote Uganda as a favoured investment destination in East Africa. During the 2013 convention, Mr. Patrick Bitature exposed the opportunities beyond Uganda’s boarder into the money belt between Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and the DRC. Speakers will present a paper on encouraging intra-trade amongst East African countries.

H.E. Edward Ssekandi, Vice President of Uganda, and keynote speaker at the Convention, will speak about Uganda’s economic outlook and present specific opportunities to attendants.

He will be joined by Eng. Dr. Frank B. Sebbowa, Executive Director of the Uganda Investment Authority, who will give an introduction to the broad investment thesis and why Diasporas and investors must explore opportunities in Uganda now. He will give updates on government incentives to investors and services offered at the one-stop Centre.

There will be a case study from Ugandan industrialist Mr. Amos Nzeyi, who is also Board Chairman of Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA). Mr Nzeyi will give an overview of Uganda manufacturing sector and its opportunities, as well as a balanced perspective including the risks and challenges.

There will be a panel discussion on opportunities in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality sectors, promoting Uganda as a unique and ideal tourism destination, but also as a country offering investment opportunities to support the nation’s development and sustainability. Our speakers Rt Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Mr Stephen Asiimwe – CEO Uganda Tourism Board, Mr Herbert Byaruhanga – President Uganda Tourism Association and HE Mirjam Blaak, Embassy of Uganda in Brussels will focus on development costs, brands, accessibility to finance and trends in the tourism industry, the negative impact of the recent insecurity and how the government is mitigating it.

The Lord Popat, (UK) Minister of the Crown and Government Whip in the House of Lords will give a personal account and international perspective on increasing UK’s exports and attracting UK investment into Uganda.

The speakers on the Executive Private Sector Panel will talk about Agribusiness, Manufacturing and Packaging industries, Infrastructure and Regional Distribution and Warehousing, Mining and refining and Support to Oil and Gas sub sector to name just a few of the many sectors to be discussed.

The panel will welcome Hon. Maria Kiwanuka, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, Minister for Trade, Industry & Cooperatives, H.E Nimisha Madhvani, Dr. Frank B. Sebbowa, CEO UIA, Mr. Amos Nzeyi (Chairman Pepsi-Uganda), Mr. Ssebagala M. Kigozi, CEO UMA and Ismail Ahmed, CEO WorldRemit

Agriculture & Agri-Processing in Uganda will feature high on the agenda. Our esteemed guest, Mr Nuradin Osman, Managing Director, Africa & Middle East, AGCO Corporation, will talk about dividends from mechanizing agriculture and innovation in the field, low productivity, disruptive impact of climate change and insufficient capital, poor access to markets. He will be joined by Hon. Mathias Kasamba (Agriculture), Mr. George Mutabaazi, (LC5) – Lwengo District, and Hon. Wafula Oguttu, Opposition leader in the Parliament.

There will be an interesting Diaspora case study presented by Mr. George Mutabaazi, (LC5) – Lwengo District, who will give a personal insight and case study on rural development and transformation of Lwengo district into a prospering district.

Hon. Wafula Oguttu will urge delegates and ministerial guests to “Keep politics out of development projects” and come back home and invest! He will explain the role of Diasporas in the transformation of Uganda’s rural areas.

Mr. Moses Wasswa Mulimira, from the Uganda Diaspora Health Foundation (Butabika link) will explain the mental health challenges affecting Ugandans in the Diaspora, how to mitigate them, and how members of the Diaspora can support and invest in health sector opportunities as a solution to the problem.

Lastly, Brussels Airways, our esteemed sponsors, will give a 10 minute presentation and announce the name of the lucky winner of a free return ticket to Uganda.

Isabelle Gravenstein – 07737 666724