Rugunda woos Ugandan diaspora to invest back home

Vision Reporter

Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has appealed to Ugandans living in the United States of America to bring their savings back home, saying the returns on their investments will be huge.

Dr Rugunda said this while meeting several groups of Ugandan diaspora in New York, Washington DC, Minnesota and Boston during a one week working visit to the US last week.

"Uganda is safe, stable and ripe for business and investment. I call upon all of you to save your money and bring it back home. The returns to investment in Uganda are very high," the Prime Minister told a convention of North American Masaaba Cultural Association (NAMCA) in Washington DC on 23 May 2015.

NAMCA brings people from Bugisu region living in North America. It's objective is to promote Bamasaaba culture, language and development of their region.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 24, Dr Rugunda told the Basoga Twegaite International Convention , a global gathering of people from Busoga region that opportunities exist in agriculture, medical care, housing and construction , real estate.

The Prime Minister represented President Museveni as guest of honour at the convention.

The group however complained of delays and bureaucracy in processing applications for setting up businesses, and asked the Prime Minister to prevail on those responsible to shape up.

Dr Rugunda explained that plans were in advanced stages to turn Uganda Investment Authority into a One Stop Shop for effective handling of the concerns of investors. He also informed the participants that because of the critical value government places on the diaspora, it had set up a Diaspora Services Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to specifically handle their issues.

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, also Bukooli County MP, Wafula Oguttu, made a presentation about the state of service delivery in Busoga region, indicating that the region falls far behind the national averages in employment, health, nutrition, education, infrastructure, literacy and access to water.

"Busoga region requires affirmative action to be able to catch with the rest of the country the same way government has done it for Luwero, Karamoja, Rwenzori, Teso, and Northern Uganda," he said, amidst cheers of approval from the delegates who included Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.

Rugunda in response acknowledged that there is need for special attention to be made for Busoga region, and said already, a proposal was in place for consideration by Government.

In Boston, Massachusetts, Prime Minister Rugunda addressed a more politically charged congregation that posed questions on governance,human rights, and accountability issues. Many in the audience wanted to know whether the 2016 elections would free, fair and credible, and what steps have been put in place to ensure that the electoral commission is independent and credible.

"If we did not believe that the elections would be credible,there would be no reason asking Ugandans to participate in them. I can assure you that the current electoral reforms before Parliament are meant to ensure free, fair and credible polls," Dr Rugunda said.