Memorable 33rd UNAA Convention concludes with a call for unity
Sep 07, 2021
Scores of Ugandans visited the embassy registration site with queries on various issues.
Embassy staff carry out national ID enrollment and issuance of ready IDs for diaspora members. (Courtesy photo)
DIASPORA NEWS
The three-day 33rd UNAA Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio drew to a close on September 5, with a corporate gala punctuated by Ugandan success stories shown on large screens and intense networking within the Ugandan business community.
The special guest for the evening was Jason Dunn, the general vice-president for Diversity Sales and Inclusion of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau.
According to a release from the foreign affairs ministry, the third day of activities included engagement with senior officials of the Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.
Activities included exchange of views regarding consular services and processes, including dual citizenship and the new e-visa requirements.
Embassy officials also set up national identification and enrollment kits to enable Ugandans in the diaspora to apply for IDs and and pick up those that had been issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Scores of Ugandans visited the embassy registration site with queries on various issues, including questions and answers on immigration matters.
The participants expressed appreciation to the embassy for bringing the services closer to them, given the individual costs involved in traveling to Washington, DC. They asked that the embassy makes such periodic visits to the US sub-regions for consular outreach and education programmes.
Uganda's ambassador to the US, Mull Katende, devoted time to the guests, whom he engaged during the political forum. To numerous fielded questions, he provided answers.
Issues raised ranged from information on voting by Ugandans in the diaspora to Government borrowing and cultural preservation for second and third generation Ugandans born in North America.
Katende encouraged Ugandans to be discerning about what is and is not factual when reacting to social media information about Uganda.
He emphasized to the forum participants that following the January general election, there is a need to focus on developmental issues that bring the community together than those that divide them.
Immigration officers attend UNAA, from left: Rose Tutegyereize (senior immigration officer), Simon Mundeyi (principle immigration officer) and Ferdinand Kyoheirwe (immigration attache - Uganda Embassy)
The evening culminated in a dinner banquet and ball punctuated with Ugandan cultural cuisine and entertainment.
The crowd participated in traditional dances from all parts of Uganda led by Bankema African Dance Academy and was serenaded over dinner by African Smooth Jazz maestro Isaiah Katumwa.
In a key-note address Dr. Ivan Edwards, an American of Ugandan heritage, shared an emotional message to the Ugandan community to get organized, in order to partake of the proverbial American Dream, think big, aim higher and never take 'no' for an answer.
In his closing remarks, Amb. Katende reminded the community that there is strength in unity.
This being an election year of the UNAA Council and Executive Committee, the highlight of the evening was the reading of the UNAA election results in a tension-filled ballroom, which saw Henrietta Nairuba Wamala (dubbed Team Acrion) retain her seat by beating main contender Lydia Natoolo (dubbed Team Unity) as UNAA President for another two-year term.
In her acceptance speech, Wamala thanked the communities and her grassroots election campaign team for their tireless efforts. She revealed that the focus of her second term would be targeted at youth empowerment and building the next generation of UNAA.
She rallied the members to put aside any politicking and come together for the good of the organization and work as one to develop the community.
The evening ended on a celebratory note with the UNAA members dancing the night away to Ugandan pop music.
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