Joseph Olanyo
31 October 2008
Kampala — As part of increasing efforts to tap investments from abroad, real estate developers, service providers and financial institutions, are expected to dominate Uganda's international exhibition in the United Kingdom next month.
Uganda Expo 2008, the first of its kind, is being organised by Uganda Opportunity Network (UGoNET) Ltd in collaboration with the Uganda High Commission to UK and will take place from November 28 to 29 at Newham Leisure Centre 281 Prince Regent Lane London. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to open the expo which is expected to attract about 1,000 participants.
Nationwide Properties Ltd, Stanbic Bank and Uganda Telecom (UTL) are some of the organisations that have confirmed their participation. Uganda will now join other African countries that are already holding annual expos.
Stanbic's Head of Home Loans Ms Damalie Kairumba said the bank will showcase their products available on market and guide Ugandans in the Diaspora on how to access them. "We shall show them how to open their accounts, wire money and how to access home loans for buying assets," she said. Nationwide Properties Ltd is promoting rotal Palms Estates in Luzira, a Kampala suburb to offer Ugandans both at home and in the Diaspora an opportunity to own homes.
The UGoNET Ltd Executive Director, Ms Flavia Ndikuno said in a statement from London that the main purpose of the expo is to mobilise and engage Ugandans in the Diaspora with stakeholders from Uganda such as government officials, banks, real estate development companies, stock brokers, recruitment organisations and other organisations offering various products and services with the Diaspora as their target.
Ugandan-Indian turned British millionaire Sheikh Khalid, the chair of Clifton Packing Group in Leicester will be keynote speaker at the event. Also invited to attend are; Dr Maggie Kigozi, executive director Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Professor Semakula Kiwanuka, State Minister for Investment, Allen Kagina, commissioner general of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile governor Bank of Uganda. Others are Fred Mugisha of Stanbic Bank and Andrew Rugasira, the Managing Director of Good African Coffee.
"We are also aiming to position Uganda firmly as an investment destination for both Ugandans in the Diaspora as well as international investors", Ms Ndikuno, a Ugandan born- British citizen said.
Activities to cover the two day event will include a symposium of the first day and seminars, workshops, exhibitions on day two to be crowned with a dinner dance.
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