Pakasa debate to reach Ugandans upcountry and diaspora

By Mary Karugaba

Employment is one topic that touches thousands of Ugandans and being upcountry or in the diaspora should not mean that one should miss out.

According to Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Robert Kabushenga, arrangements have been put in place to ensure that all Ugandans participate in the Pakasa Forum debate organized by the Company.

“Those who will not make it to Kampala will participate in the debate through our radio stations upcountry. Here, participants will be able to send in questions and comments,” he said adding that those in the diaspora will participate through the Company’s social media or website. Here in Kampala, the debate will be live broadcast. 

Organized by Vision Group, the Forum is aimed at explaining to people, particularly young people, and the opportunities that exist in our economy for them to earn a living. It is scheduled to take place on October26 at Kampala Parents Auditorium from 9.00am to 1pm.

It will be addressed by prominent Ugandans who according to Vision Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Kabushenga, “who know where opportunities for earning a living are and explain them to the general public.”

 They include Amama Mbabazi, the Prime Minister of Uganda; Phillip Odera, Managing Director (MD), Stanbic Bank; Richard Byarugaba, the MD, National Social Security Fund (NSSF); Mazen Mroué, the CEO, MTN Uganda; Jennifer Musisi, the Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Bruce Robertson, South African producer dealer (Cotton and Simsim) in Uganda and one Marino, a young wrought iron fabricator, whose story we featured in the original Pakasa Youth Awards in 2011.

Vision Group had planned for about 300 people but by yesterday (Tuesday22,) morning, the number had overwhelmingly grown to over 800 and more were still registering. 

Kabushenga said among the topics to be discussed, include Agriculture, youth entrepreneurship, vocational skills, formal employment and also public service.  

“Uganda is the regional’s food buckets but we cannot even meet the demand of food in this country. This explains the high inflation rate. The food prices are high because we are not producing enough to meet the demand. This is why we have included in the Agriculture as a topic,” Kabusyenga said.

Those interested in attending can register at Pakasa @newvision.co.ug or SMS Forum or Pakaka and send to 8338, proceedings of the same can also be followed on Twitter #Pakasa13. 

Kabushenga emphasised that Ugandans have enough capital to invest but what they need is skills on how to do it.