The 6th South Africa NRM Chapter Symposium was officially launched at the Office of the President in Kampala.
Addressing a press conference, Chairperson of the South Africa NRM Chapter, Isma Luzige, said the symposium is a huge testament to the enduring relationship between Uganda and South Africa.
“The symposium, scheduled for September 27-28, 2024, will run under the theme: ‘Social Economic Transformation & Navigating through Trade on the African Continent.‘ It will also focus on commercial diplomacy, business-to-business, and people-to-people interactions across various sectors.“
The keynote speaker will be NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, who will dissect a wide range of topics, including the digital economy, mining, education, and health, among others. There will be participation from Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Eastern Cape, and all SADC countries.
In his address, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, stressed that the President’s Office will fully support the initiative as it is one of the ways to bring together the Ugandan Diaspora community, paving the way for dialogue and cohesion.
The Ambassador added that the symposium is open to all people, regardless of creed or political affiliation, because the matters to be discussed benefit everyone, both at home and abroad.
He applauded the South Africa NRM Chapter for its vibrant efforts in upholding the party’s core principles of patriotism, pan-Africanism, democracy, and socio-economic transformation, which is a unifying front for all Ugandans.
“The symposium is aimed at advocating for visa-free entry to South Africa, enabling open borders for Ugandans to conduct business and pushing for Diaspora voting, with a focus on the estimated over one million Ugandans in Southern Africa.“
In his communication, Uganda High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Ambassador Paul Amoru, appreciated H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his keen attention to Diaspora issues by setting up a Diaspora Affairs Office, headed by Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, which has done a significant job in uplifting the welfare of Ugandans living overseas.
Amoru further said, “There is a direct need to actively engage Diaspora communities in South Africa to tap into the different sectors of the market, which will in turn boost Diaspora remittances to our country.“
He further stated that the best place to start when looking for a market for Ugandan products is South Africa, which is closer to Uganda.
“The symposium will have participants from different political parties in different parts of South, East, and Central Africa, such as the ANC and RPF, among others.“
It was noted that as of January 2024, Uganda received $1.25 billion, equivalent to 5.5 trillion shillings, in remittances from the Diaspora, in the form of consumables and healthcare support.
The Chairperson of the organizing committee, Norman Nimusiima, urged the Uganda Diaspora community to ignore any divisive politics that are meant to deter people from the main focus of the symposium.
The briefing was attended by the Senior Presidential Advisor on the Middle East, Ambassador Ahmed Kisuule, and the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Sempijja, who urged all members of the Diaspora to take active participation in the symposium, because there is a need for engagement in development for the good of our country.
