NAM SUMMIT

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As Uganda prepares to host the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit early next year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated ICT tools to boost communication.

In a media briefing at the foreign affairs ministry in Kampala on Wednesday, ministry permanent secretary Vincent Bagiire revealed that communication is much needed.

According to Bagiire, the assortment of Information and communications technology (ICT) equipment that was handed over to the ministry came at the right time.

Among the items received were 60 desktop computers, two heavy-duty photocopiers, two desktop printers, 35 Wi-Fi access points, and two conference units.

Bagiire said the ministry has more collaborations with UNDP to engage in different broader activities that will spark economic development.

Sideline event

“Some of these activities relate to commercial and economic diplomacy; others relate to support for the summit, as we can see we have the equipment here, and then also UNDP is supporting us to hold a business summit on the sidelines of NAM,” he said.

Bagiire said the business event will attract investors from other countries as well as Ugandans. According to Bagiire, this will increase the foreign investment portfolio of the country.

The UNDP Resident Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah (left) speaks as the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire looks on during the handover ICT equipment. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

From January 15-24, Uganda will be hosting a delegation of 168 from 135 countries. Bagiire said there could be a problem with the language barrier, and this could affect proper communication. He said that the UNDP has also provided translation facilities to solve the problem during the summit.

“As you know, for a multilateral such as NAM and G77, you can get everything right, but if you don’t get the translation right, you spoil the summit,” he said. Adding to that, translation is important and the country has managed to secure some of the best translators.

For many years, the Government has worked with UNDP and the relationship has been cordial. Bagiire said the support they got was an addition to what they had already received from the United Nations.

Committed to structural transformation

UNDP resident representative Elsie Attafuah said the organisation is committed to advancing the structural transformation of the country as well as leaving no one behind in terms of digital transformation.

Attafuah remarked that partnership is central to the development of any country, and it is even more crucial when it comes to a developing nation like Uganda.

“We are supporting the ministry in the area of trade and investment promotion; this is very key. We have learned from development that, from here, no country has developed without trading with its partners, and Moreso, within the continent of Africa, togetherness is very key,” she said.

Accordingly, trade will unlock opportunities and create wealth for every individual in the country.

The UNDP Resident Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah (left) hand's over one of the laptops to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire during the handover ICT equipment. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Attafuah said recently that Ugandan Airlines launched its newest route to Mumbai and Lagos. She noted that this will increase the chances of development.

Arguably, Uganda is one of the countries globally that has the best tourism scenery. Attafuah said UNDP looks forward to starting to invest in the Ugandan tourism industry to bring more tourists and increase the country’s foreign earnings.

“There is only one country in the world that has 53.9% of the remaining mountain gorillas, and that’s Uganda, the mammals, the snowcapped Rwenzori mountains, the Elgon, and so what do we do with these potential tourists?” she said.

Given the number of ambassadors Uganda has in different countries, she said it's high time they start negotiating for businesses related to tourism back in their country.

She said the ambassadors situated in those countries can link the Uganda Tourism Board to willing people.

“When they do come here, it's revenue for the country's livelihood for the young men and women, and if you begin to understand the value chain of tourism, that’s a great potential in terms of job creation,” she noted.

For the next ten years, Uganda will launch a road map for digital transformation. Attafuah commended the initiative and pledged that the UNDP will start supporting universities where academia is trained.