Envoy urges countries on networking

By Chris Mugasha

THE Uganda Deputy Head of mission to the BENELUX countries has called for strengthening of networking between countries if the global social, economic and political issues affecting people across the globe are to be addressed.

Ambassador Franklin Katungwe said people in all nations are facing the same problems and challenges which require concerted efforts.

He cited issues like the economic recession, climate change, unemployment, energy prices, food shortage, epidemic outbreaks such as Ebola, bird influenza, HIV AIDS as massive issues which require proper attention and collaborative actions.

Katungwe said it’s only networked alliances, and collaborations which are not abound by national orders but global action/orders.

Katungwe’s remarks were contained in a speech he delivered while addressing the Ugandan Community in the Netherlands who met the Ugandan Embassy officials and shared on a range of issues. The event took place at Christelijk Lyceum high school in Veenendaal Netherlands.

Katungwe argued that it is no longer about competition between countries and individuals but more about connecting and collaborating so as to make the world a happier, healthier and prosperous place to live in.

He hailed the organizers of the convention saying such gatherings are crucial, critical and important in promoting international relations between countries.

Katungwe said government of Uganda recognizes the importance of people in the Diaspora and the role they play in shaping the social, cultural and economical growth of the country.

He said, “We regard Diaspora community as a key strategic and economic asset of our nations, we strongly believe that such organization engages us confidence, self esteem, in the sense of self-identification and demonstrates strength of collaborating as countries.”

He added that the Diaspora is a very powerful bridge to knowledge, expertise, resources and economic markets. On Uganda’s road map for elections, Katungwe appealed to Ugandans in the Diaspora to support the NRM government explaining that the country has been with a good government for the last 28 years. “There should be no change now because the present government is doing a very good job,” he noted.

“It is like when you have a good football team, you cannot mess up changing players when they are winning and taking cups. So I appeal to Ugandans here to give support to the present government and elect good members of parliament to represent you whichever region you come from,” he added.