The Office of the President moved through the Office of the Chief Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs to establish trade and investment links between Uganda and the state of Illinois in the USA.
The campaign, led by Isaac Kigozi, President of Commerce and Investment, saw several meetings with potential investors, policy chiefs and scholars in Illinois.
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Kigozi who is marketing Uganda as an investment destination has had successful talks with Illinois Senator Patricia Van Pelt, Commissioner of Cook County, District Six, Donna Miller, D. Chancellor Candice Tillman Tyndall and Dr. Bill Winston, founder of the Christian Life Word Center, among others.
Kigozi said the campaign follows an initiative by President Museveni to entice all the historical diaspora to return to Africa, understand who they are, connect with their history, heritage, get a sense of belonging, and understand that their true home is Africa.
“President Museveni has put in place a strong strategy to entice many people, especially Africans living in the diaspora, to come home and share their knowledge and help in the development of our country and the African continent as a whole,” Kigozi said.
Kigozi noted that Illinois aims to foster a strong trade and investment relationship with Uganda as it is one of the states with the largest number of historical diaspora.
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“We feel that every African American is valuable and we want them, we want them and we welcome them to come to Uganda and help us take our country to the next level,” Kigozi said.
He noted that to achieve the goal, Museveni appointed the Office of the Senior Presidential Adviser on Expatriate Affairs, which is managed by the ambassador. Abbey created Walusimbi to lure Africans back home because these represent more than $60 billion for the American economy.
Kigozi noted that a similar campaign was launched in 2020 which saw a number of historical African expatriates arrive in Uganda from Chicago, California, Atlanta, Texas and Lee Vegas and so far, 6 businesses have been registered while 2 people have already purchased land.
During the meetings, Illinois leaders and investors expressed interest in coming to Uganda next year as well as establishing relationships between the Kampala government and the state of Illinois.
For her part, Donna Miller indicated that she would take upon herself the task of establishing trade missions between Uganda and Illinois, and opening markets for Ugandan agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and others.
Dr. Donna Lakes notes that there is a need for linkages and exchange programs between Ugandan universities and Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in order to strengthen the education sector.
Attorney Candice Tillman Tindall has indicated that she will come to Uganda to establish foundations and investments in the real estate sector.
“I am developing real estate and would like to create residential and commercial complexes in Uganda. I am a big supporter of the campaign to encourage African expatriates to return to Africa because for years we have been deprived of history and heritage,” Candice said. .
Dr. Bill Winston, founder of the Living Christian Word Center, expressed his love for Uganda, stating that it is a country that puts God first, and looks forward to a long-term ecclesiastical relationship between Uganda and his ministry.
As CEO of Golden Eagle Aviation, Dr. Bell indicated that he looks forward to strengthening Uganda’s aviation industry as well as offering training to Ugandan pilots and students.
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