Abbey Kigozi Walusimbi

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By Amb Abbey Kigozi Walusimbi

For starters, the Nordic countries are known around the world for their unique history and culture, which has enabled the continual exchange of ideas with other countries, including the Pearl of Africa (Uganda).

My official working visit to Europe started with a courtesy call on our beautiful Embassy in the huge and sprawling city of Copenhagen, Denmark, which is a sight to behold.

A local Ugandan luncheon was hosted by H. E. Ambassador Margaret Otteskov in my honour and Mr Bo Poulsen CEO of Bravo Denmark who narrated the just concluded visit to the spectacular Ugandan tourist destinations. Kazinga Channel was voted the best place by all the 14 Nordic tour operators and journalists.

Among the issues discussed with the Embassy staff was the need for the Uganda government to assist the embassies in reaching out to diaspora who have lost touch with Uganda. Seminars and conventions are highly recommended so that immigration issues, business opportunities and investment with incentives are shared with the Diaspora and their friends in the host countries. 

Nevertheless, Uganda is a unique country endowed with numerous lakes, rivers, and mountain gorillas, among others. While at the Embassy in Denmark, I had good deliberations with the staff and development partners, on ways to enhance Uganda's tourism potential.

Recently, Nordic tourists led by our Embassy in Copenhagen visited our motherland, and it is good they've discovered Uganda. 

Annually, we receive 17,000 visitors from Nordic countries, with each spending around $6,000, amounting to $102 million. We must work together to forge a path to market Uganda's uniqueness to the world.

Then, I switched location to Warsaw, Poland and then to Malaga, Spain, where I attended and addressed participants at the inaugural Uganda Europe Convention. This will be an annual and ideal avenue to exchange views and network among Ugandans living and working overseas on matters of common interest.

More so, it will be on a rotational basis, to allow participants to experience first-hand the development and the business opportunities in the different regions in Uganda.

This initiative, I believe will amplify Uganda's presence on the global stage. There is a need for increased Ugandan investment in Europe, opening new markets, especially in labour externalisation, in a bid for the Ugandan labour force to help cover the gap in Europe. We can engage with willing European partners and labour pacts.

The most fascinating part was the tour of MAN Energy Solutions in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the company of Deputy Head of Mission, Simon P.A. Ajiku. Promotion Manager, Lars Tingbjerg, Warehouse team lead, Eng. Mahboob Somani and Nathan Ariho walked us through the future of maritime transport.

We had a tour of the warehouse, where we were introduced to the many components, which MAN uses to assemble massive engines used for container ships.

Our visit continued with a tour of the warehouse, where a fellow Ugandan diaspora, Eng. Mahboob Somani showed us the different components used in the engines.

He explained that from Uganda, we could produce items, including rubber rings, nuts, bolts, and other items which are needed in massive engines. The key components for working with large companies such as MAN are quality and consistent delivery. Eng. Mahboob also mentioned that wooden beams and boxes are used to pack items in.

The writer is a Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Office of the President