Ugandans abroad to engage donors on aid cut

By Henry Sekanjako
 
The NRM Diaspora League has taken the lead in improving Uganda’s image abroad after President Yoweri Museveni assented to the Anti-gay law recently.

The NRM UK and Ireland chapter are explaining Museveni's decision to sign the controversial Bill into law and why there is no justification for withdrawing and cutting off aid to Uganda.

The group on Sunday met the Uganda High Commissioner in London, Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda and briefed her on their efforts to meet and mutually address government’s critics.

The delegation which included executive members of the NRM diaspora league like Lillian Busingye, Geoffrey Odur was led by the secretary Patrick Asiimwe.

“The NRM Diaspora League has already written to the fierce critic of the Anti-gay law in the House of Commons, Margot James, a Conservative Party Member of Parliament representing Stourbridge, seeking an appointment to correct the negative campaign being conducted from an uninformed standpoint that fails to take into account mutual respect for Uganda’s sovereignty and cultural values,” said Asiimwe.

The NRM UK Chapter argues that the campaign to withhold aid will directly hit and hurt the ordinary people.

According to Asiimwe, Margot James, while appearing on Channel 4 News in London recently, said he would lobby for a travel ban on selected leaders who have been advocating for the anti-gay law.

The Chairman of the Diaspora League, Abbey Walusimbi, is due in London next month to participate in more meetings with the critics of the law in Sweden and Scandinavian countries to explain to them more about Uganda’s signing of the anti-gay law.

Uganda’s High Commission welcomed any efforts that improved the image of Uganda and hailed the Chapter for championing the task to engage with critics so that they get to appreciate the appropriate mindset of the Bill.