DIASPORA|CORRUPTION
DIASPORA - The Deputy Inspector of Government, Dr. George Bamugemereire, has asked Ugandans in Diaspora to join in the fight against corruption.
Dr. Bamugemereire was addressing Ugandan Diaspora, during a government service delivery Diaspora Awareness workshop held at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya, a Kampala suburb on December 29,2018.
Dr. Bamugemereire said although the inspectorate has designed a five pillar strategic plan, the people have a duty to participate in the campaign. The Inspector Generals' institution can only execute its duties after whistle blowers alert them.
Special Presidential Assistant on Diaspora Issues in the of Office of the President Ms. Florence Kiremerwa
He similarly disclosed the proposed interventions meant to reduce on the high levels of immorality and lack of integrity among the people of Uganda, which he alluded to as a curse towards the growth and transformation of the social and economic development of the country.
"You Diasporians have an upper hand in knowing incidences where government officials are bribed abroad, so do not hesitate to communicate to us with evidence, to enable us effectively investigate these incidences to conclusion,'' Dr. Bamugemereire noted.
At the same event, Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Land Matters, advised the Diaspora to constantly ensure they verify the land they intend to purchase before any payments.
Mrs. Bamugemereire noted that the current legal land frameworks, allows for more than one owner making it increasingly difficult to streamline the increasing cases of land grabbing in the country.
The Special Presidential Assistant on Diaspora Issues in the of Office of the President Ms. Florence Kiremerwa, appealed to the diaspora to promote tourism for their country because they are the first ambassadors of Uganda.
Kiremerwa promised to push for their voting rights and a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. She expressed frustrations to those government institutions that are not willing to work with her as she fulfills the Presidential Initiative of bringing services closer to the Diaspora.
At the One Stop Government Service delivery programme for the Diaspora, many dignitaries attended. These included the Executive Director Insurance Regulatory Authority Al Hajji Kaddunabbi; the Director of operations and Registration in National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Brig. Steven Kwiringira; Board Chair in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. Emilio Mondo; Resident District Commissioners(RDCs) and other officials from Uganda Tourism Board (UTB); National Social Security Fund (NSSF); St. Catherine Hospital; Turkish Airlines; Ministry of Lands Housing & Urban Development; Ministry of Works and Transport's Face Technologies; Uganda Revenue Authority (URA); Ministry of Foriegn Affairs; National Housing & Construction Company (NHCC); Post Bank and Centenary Bank.
The event is the second annual event, organised by the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Diaspora Issues in liaison with the different government entities, to avail government services to the Diaspora as an appropriate mechanism to reduce the bureaucracy.
At the same event, NIRA registered Ugandans from diaspora for National IDs; Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIAs) Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) granted dual citizenship to over 100 Ugandans from diaspora; while URA shared highlights on the tax reforms that favour the Diaspora.
In addition, NHCC propagated the purchase of low-cost houses; UTB provided local holiday packages while Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development was available and assisted Ugandans from diaspora to verify their land titles.
The 3rd annual event is scheduled to be held on December 27, 2019 at the same venue.
