The speaker is opening the 3rd Ugandan UK Trade and Investment Forum. He thanks attendees for their participation and notes they share a common goal of contributing to Uganda's development through exploring investment opportunities. Recent UNCTAD data showed Uganda topped the region in attracting foreign direct investment last year, demonstrating its potential for serious investors. Uganda is described as the "Pearl of Africa" with vast natural resources and potential. Investment in Uganda's private sector is key to improving citizens' welfare. The forum provides an opportunity for diaspora engagement and information sharing to promote Ugandan investments, as seen successfully in other countries. Presentations will cover real estate, infrastructure, agriculture and general investment opportunities. The speaker encourages networking and exploring

1. It is with great pleasure that I stand before you at the 3rd Ugandan UK Trade and
Investment Forum. Allow me to start by thanking all of you for honoring our invitation and
the spirit of endeavoring to drive economic growth to Uganda. I believe we are all here with
one common desire not only to contribute to the development of Uganda but by also
exploring ways on how to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Uganda to
make money for ourselves or companies.
New data released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development shows
Uganda topped the region in attracting FDI last year, thus showing the potential Uganda
offers and that the time is now for serious investors to come on board.
For those who are here with minimal knowledge of Uganda, allow me to inform you that
Uganda is the “Pearl of Africa” that is “Gifted by Nature”. This has been attested by the
Lonely Planet Guide; where Uganda has been declared as one of the wonders of the world
that one must visit before they die. It is no surprise that when the Christian Missionary Churchill first came to Uganda, he could not miss this reality and, indeed, named Uganda the
“Pearl of Africa”.
In order to improve on the welfare of Ugandans, investment in the private sector is key and
we urge you to take advantage of the forum and do not hesitate to ask any questions that
might hinder your desire to explore emerging markets in Uganda.
Ladies and gentlemen; this is the third investment forum and it provides us with the
opportunity to engage the diaspora in promoting investments in Uganda. This is the only
viable option and one that has worked in other diaspora success stories like the Israel and
India, harnessing its diasporas. It was with this in mind that this year, we decided to shift
the idea from aid to trade.
The conference is also an opportunity to inform the investors and business community in
this region of the vast potential for investment that Uganda offers to both the domestic and
international community.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we want to utilise your time here and Network; Share information
and Knowledge; explore opportunities that will be presented here today.
Ugandan Asians are one of the richest groups of people in the UK. Since we launched the
Convention we have managed to lead delegations comprising Uganda Asians back to Uganda
in a move of rejuvenating their spirit and love of their country. Last year, a group I led to
Uganda met the President and the 1st lady and have since committed to invest more than
$3million into a modern maize plant which will create a lot of jobs in Northern Uganda, an
area that had been devastated by insurgency for a decade.
Ladies and gentlemen; Uganda is Endowed with significant natural resources, including
ample fertile land, regular rainfall, and mineral deposits. We have a session on real estate
and infrastructure; agriculture and general investment in the country. The Uganda
Investment Authority is showcasing at the exhibition hall and the Buganda Land Board will
1

2. be presenting opportunities that exist in Buganda comprising prime land for infrastructure
projects as well as agricultural land.
Intra-African investment is a critical source of growth for the continent, but is often
overlooked. Recently, reports have indicated that intra-Africa direct investment is growing
and we are utilising this platform to invite other Africans to look at Uganda's vast
investment opportunities to take advantage of, not to mention the Diaspora. This year we
have reached more to brothers and sisters from the Diaspora community to take advantage
of what Uganda can offer.
To stress a few positive outcomes:
1. Last year a group of investors agreed to invest more than $3million in a maize
processing plant in Gulu
2. The Nagrecha's, a Ugandan Asian family donated more than $50,000 to the 1st Lady
foundation to build a school and buy two tractors for the women of Karamoja.
3. Too many Ugandans to mention have relocated back and these include Mr. James
Mwesigwa who successfully started a health and safety consultancy, to name but one.
4. Through Hon. Christine Amongin, the Minister of State for Teso Affairs, River Flow
Ministries is helping people on agriculture development. Another charity Ark
Schools, has now constructed 12 secondary schools in the region and all these thanks
to the effort of the convention
5. Our main achievement is to bring together investors and Diasporans. Such
interactions are always personal and we won't impinge unless people ask us to
become involved.
6. People have got jobs to as far away from Uganda as Nigeria, from delegates who
comes to the convention
I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to the organising team, UK Embassy, various
government agencies, sponsors and my special thanks go to all of you, for having accepted to
participate in this 3rd Investment Forums.
For god and My Country
Willy Mutenza
Chairman-UGANDAN UK CONVENTION
2