UNAA Boston |Business Forum — Making Uganda Work Highlights of Day One

On Friday September 2nd in one of America’s oldest cities Boston, Massachusetts  UNAA hosted its 28th annual Ugandan North American Association Convention at the Park Plaza hotel. Among those present were both the  Uganda and US private and public sector leaders who discussed various business ideas at the UNAA Business and Trade Investment Forum.

Under the theme — “Making Uganda Work – Translating Challenges into Opportunities”.  The trade summit was opened by our Ambassador to the US Her Excellence Ambassador Olive Wonekha who in turn invited the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda to share Uganda Government commitment to the Diaspora.

Other guest speakers included Helena Fruscio, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology, Massachusetts, Stephen Pike, Chief Executive Officer of Massachusetts Clean Energy Center,  Mark Sullivan, Executive Director of Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment (MOITI),  Dr. Robert Stoner, Deputy Director for Science and Technology MIT Energy Initiative, Mr. Nam Pham, Assistant Secretary of Business Development & International Trade, Massachusetts, Dr. Lawrence Spinelli: Director of Outreach and Public Affairs at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Mr. Harry Sullivan, Deputy Director for Economic Affairs, US Department of State.

Local speakers from Uganda included Mr. Abel Rwendeirwe Deputy Chair Person of The National Planning Authority,  Mr. Stephen Mukweli, CEO at PostBank Uganda, Mr. Anthony Kituuka — The New Executive Director of Equity Bank Uganda, Representatives from Centenary Bank and the Chairman KASITA.

Some of the sectors discussed included Manufacturing in Uganda — Encouraging innovation, lowering costs of labor and materials, improved supplier networks, Closing the energy gap in Uganda: Affordable Energy. Enabling Socio-Economic Development, Economic Justice: Fostering Inclusive Growth. Financial Access for the Excluded of Uganda and the Gateway into East Africa.

Ugandan Diaspora News attended the Day One from The Business Forum and now brings you some of the highlights in pictures.