During a meeting held today at State Lodge, Nakasero, on the sidelines of the ongoing Pan African Congress Business Forum (PACBF), the President said: “I am very happy to meet you. You are most welcome here in Uganda. This is the right place and time to invest. We have everything here.”

The group, including delegates from the American diaspora and others, are currently participating in the Pan-African Congress Business Forum, which began on October 6th and will conclude on October 12th, 2024, at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Kampala.

The conference aims at strategizing trade and investment in Uganda as a gateway to the East African Community and Africa, positioning the country as a new technology and innovation hub for Africa, understanding the US standards and Uganda’s progress in improving compliance, leveraging the influence of the African diaspora in the US, among others.

The delegation was led by Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).

The investors expressed interest in various sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, food and vegetables, crafts, coffee, banana flour and vanilla.

They also discussed setting up a computer assembly plant in Uganda and positioning the country as a hub for technological manufacturing in the region.

President Museveni informed the delegation that Uganda, like much of Africa, is rich in resources and ripe for investment.

The President reflected on Africa’s historical struggles, tracing the continent’s exploitation by foreign powers over the past 600 years.

He recounted how Africa had been colonized by 1900, following centuries of plunder and the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade.

President Museveni also linked Africa’s subjugation to selfish leadership, saying, “Our ego-centric chiefs and kings, out of selfishness, could not unite us to fight these people.”

The President further delved into the history of European exploration, explaining how the Ottoman Empire’s capture of Constantinople in 1453 blocked European access to the Silk Road, prompting explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama to seek sea routes around Africa.

While these explorations were initially positive for Europe, President Museveni emphasised that they soon became tainted by the evil of slavery.

“The first slaves were captured by the Portuguese in 1441. What should have been a celebration of scientific progress turned into 500 years of exploitation and wars,” he said.

The President also noted that technological advances such as shipbuilding, gunpowder, and the printing press were used not for humanity’s collective good but to oppress others.

On the other hand, President Museveni reiterated his vision for African prosperity, which he sees rooted in production and market access.

“If Africans want prosperity, it comes from producing goods or services and selling them,” he asserted.

President Museveni highlighted the need for African countries to access larger markets, pointing out that Uganda’s internal market of 46 million people is insufficient for sustained growth.

“The fragmentation of the African market is a big disaster,” he warned, adding that African nations must unite economically to avoid the fate of Latin American countries, which, despite their natural wealth, still rely heavily on the United States for prosperity.

“Despite their wealth in natural resources, they still run to the USA for medical care, education, and other benefits,” President Museveni said, stressing the importance of economic independence and collaboration for Africa’s future.

On his part, Mr. Richard Blackwell, a Chicago-based entrepreneur, also spoke passionately about the future of African economic growth and the need to work towards it. Representing investors, Mr. Blackwell emphasised the importance of dignity and opportunity for black communities globally.

“Your Excellency, I have watched many of your videos on YouTube and I was really impressed by your passion for Africa. What I realised is that you care deeply for Africa. When people live in dignity, the whole world can be better,” Mr. Blackwell said.

He stressed that black people should not remain at the bottom of global economic structures, expressing hope for a future where dignity and progress are accessible to all.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Mr. Blackwell shared insights from his childhood, growing up in a segregated neighbourhood in Philadelphia.

Despite the economic hardships faced by his family, he credited his parents for instilling values of character and perseverance.

“Our history, especially the history of black people in the U.S., is often overlooked,” he remarked.

Mr. Blackwell highlighted historical figures like James Forten, a successful African American businessman in the 18th century, who played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement.

He also drew inspiration from Booker T. Washington’s 1895 speech at the Atlanta Exposition, emphasising the importance of black economic inclusion in America’s development.

“Washington believed that if blacks are excluded from the economy, they will be disproportionately involved in crime. But if included, they can add immense value to the nation,” he noted.

Blackwell further discussed the parallels between the economic models of other nations and the potential for African development. He cited India’s economic transformation, which lifted millions out of poverty by focusing on services rather than manufacturing.

“In 1991, India reformed its economy, and in just 20 years, it moved millions of people out of poverty. This was largely due to doing business with the United States,” he explained.

He underscored the importance of creating a data-driven industry in Africa that could fuel growth across other sectors, particularly through analytics.

“In a commodities industry, if you don’t have sophisticated analytics, you won’t survive. Analytics will allow us to capture more value in global supply chains,” Mr. Blackwell noted.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Blackwell called for the creation of world-class capabilities in Africa, starting with Ghana, to harness the power of data and services.

“We can build something powerful here, not just for Africa, but for the global stage. This is a journey we must take together, leveraging our collective strengths,” he noted.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has today, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, announced the first Pan African Congress Business Forum and Expo (PACBFE) is set to take place from October 8-12, 2024 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The event is organized by PACEID in partnership with the Africa Global chamber of Commerce (AGCC), the private sector in Uganda and the United States, the event aims to enhance Uganda’s exports to the United States.

AGCC is led by Uganda’s Trade Representative in the United States.

Organized under the theme, “A Diaspora Homecoming: Navigating the Next 100 Years”, the event borrows from the historical Pan-African congresses to make a business case for Africa’s diaspora as the most pivotal economic growth agents over the next century. It further aims to leverage cross-Atlantic regulatory frameworks to strengthen engagements with multinational corporations and deepen partnerships with the African-American diaspora. On July 1, 2007, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said, “There is tremendous potential in Africa. Africa is a continent of the future. Just like India and China have become superpowers, in the next 25 years a lot of changes will have taken place.”

The event will be attended by business and government leaders from the East African region, plus the leading multinational agencies, financial institutions, experts in manufacturing, tourism, exports and trade from the rest of Africa. This will provide a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. The event will focus on identifying products and services in demand across US markets and exploring opportunities for sales and distribution.

PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo has reiterated the significance of accessing the US market for Uganda, citing it as the largest consumer market globally with a staggering $18 trillion economy. He emphasized the need to strengthen Uganda’s trade relations with the US, which in turn would help elevate Africa’s trade ties with the United States.

“This event will not only showcase the potential of Uganda’s exports to the United States but also facilitate discussions on how to further strengthen trade relations between the two countries. This is a platform where political, civil, and aid society leaders will converge to explore collaborative opportunities. Further, it will serve as a pivotal moment for Uganda’s global positioning, aimed at showcasing the country’s potential and capabilities to the world,” notes PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo.

Besides being a crucial step in strengthening Uganda’s ties across various sectors and supporting its efforts to re-enter the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program, the event presents a unique opportunity for Ugandan businesses to discover connection points with the African diaspora in America and African Americans to develop commercial and strategic export partnerships.

The forum and expo will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, providing participants with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with key stakeholders in the industry. Attendees can expect to gain a deeper understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements in the US market.

On the sidelines of the business forum, American participants will also visit what Uganda has to offer in terms of tourism, trade, and investment; UNESCO sites like Kasubi Tombs and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Mweya Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park, Kira Motors factory, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bujjagali falls and the Source of River Nile among others.

Present during the announcement were stakeholders from both the government and the private sector who expressed excitement in participating in this monumental business forum. Key among others were officials from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda National Cultural Centre, Uganda Exim Limited, United Nations Development Program, East African Business Council, Adventure Consults Limited, Government Citizen Interaction Centre and the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development among others.

For more information about the Pan African Congress Business Forum and Expo, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.paceid.org/pacbf.

PACEID was established to tackle the strategic and operational challenges that hinder Uganda’s capacity to maximize its industrial and export potential. By facilitating coordination among Ugandan exporters, producers, government institutions, and international stakeholders, PACEID strives to accelerate the nation’s export growth and industrial advancement.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), together with the National Strategic Communication Committee, has successfully facilitated an interview between China Global Television Network (CGTN) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to discuss the growing trade relations between Uganda and China. This interview, that will air on the Leaders Talk segment, is part of a larger plan to have President Museveni engage in four interviews before this year ends with international media in different export markets to promote Ugandan products and attract foreign investment.

CGTN is one of three branches of the state-run China Media Group and the international division of China Central Television (CCTV). As of February 5, 2024, CCTV was the leading television station in China with media platforms hosting over 115 million active users and watched by up to 1.5 billion people worldwide.

CGTN Leaders Talk Anchor Wang Guan conducted the interview assisted by the crew; Zhang Yajing, Liu Yuhao and Zheng Hao.

The decision to start with China is strategic, as the country is preparing to set up a Uganda Trade Hub in China, and has appointed a Trade Representative to assist Ugandan exporters with market surveys and information on market trends. This move has already shown promising results, with orders for 2000MT of Ugandan sim-sim and cassava flour from China worth billions of dollars which President Museveni has applauded.

Trade Representatives are charged with supporting the country to handle the four key pillars in their markets. These are dealing with critical compliance measures such as food safety standards that impede Ugandan exports in the regional and international markets, finding new ways and means to approach both old and new markets that take Uganda’s products, coordinating the use and management of exit/border infrastructure such as warehousing, laboratories, cold rooms and bring them into conformity with the needs of the exporters and to lead the process for creation of an export credit fund that will de-risk entry of Ugandan products in foreign markets.

During the interview conducted at State House, Nakasero, on Thursday, July 8, 20204, President Museveni highlighted the importance of the growing partnership between Uganda and China, emphasizing the potential for increased trade and investment between the two countries. The President’s engagement with international media is part of a larger effort by PACEID to promote Ugandan products, increase the country’s presence in key export markets, and ultimately grow the country’s foreign earnings.