By Mulengera Reporters
Over the weekend, hundreds of NRM diaspora leaders, supporters and activists converged for the 6th ruling party symposium in South Africa. This was at Pretoria-based Skys Hotel where NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong presided over the opening session as chief guest.
Besides thanking co-chief event convener Philip Kakuru for the relentless work, Todwong called for patriotism, love for Uganda and NRM party to always be manifested whenever Ugandans living in SA interact with anyone wherever they go. He implored them to be deliberate about ensuring that whatever they do or even say portrays Uganda positively as well as their beloved NRM party too.
Broadly aimed at re-energizing NRM supporters living and working in South Africa, the September 27th-28th event also attracted the attendance and participation of big-name businessmen and investors based in South Africa amongst whom Uganda was marketed and portrayed as a compelling investment destination. Todwong appreciated the opportunity and platform to re-energize the NRM support base in SA and to also publicize Uganda’s potential as an investment destination. It was also an opportunity for the Todwong delegation members to illustrate and demonstrate what Uganda has achieved under the stable NRM leadership in the last 38 years.
Uganda’s Ambassador to SA, H.E. Paul Amoru appreciated the resolve Ugandans working and living in SA have continuously exhibited towards developing their country and defending its image and collective accomplishments over the last so many years.
On his part, SPA Philip Kakuru said that coming together to reflect on the accomplishments of the last 38 years is the least they can do to reciprocate the great transformation Gen Museveni’s leadership has enabled for Uganda since 1986. The diehard NRM member vowed to traverse the entire diaspora to sensitize the Ugandan diaspora about policies and other enablers the Museveni government has put in place to enable Ugandans living and working abroad to be integrated to become part of the ongoing development and national transformation of their motherland back home.
Isma Luzige, who chairs the NRM SA Chapter, called for oneness, unity and love among Ugandans in the diaspora asserting that this is the only way they can meaningfully benefit from their country while participating in deepening economic transformation back home.
The symposium took place not very long after the bilateral talks President Museveni held with his South African counterpart Cyril Rwamaphosa focusing on boosting trade between the two countries which they agreed can only be enabled through relaxing visa-acquisition processes for especially Ugandans seeking to travel to SA and generally being deliberate about amplifying trading activities between the two countries. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at [email protected]).
