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UGANDA’S 43RD INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY SUPPLEMENT
By Patrick Muganda-Guma
CHARGE D’ AFFAIRES a.i.
9th October 2005
It is 43 years today since Uganda gained her independence from colonial rule.
As we celebrate the 43rd Anniversary of that great and memorable day, I wish to utilize this
opportunity to share with the rest of the world, the political, social and economic
developments in Uganda, which have dominated the period under review. I also wish to express
my sincere gratitude to The Japan Times for availing me the opportunity to address its ardent
readers. Let me also take this opportunity to convey our deepest appreciation to Yamato
International Inc, whose invaluable magnanimity has made
it possible for this supplement to appear in this paper.
On behalf of the Government, the people of Uganda and on my own behalf,
I wish to extend sincere and warmest greetings to their Majesties the Emperor and Empress,
members of the Royal House hold of the Imperial Family, The Prime Minister,
Government and the people of Japan.
I particularly wish to extend heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Koizumi for the victorious performance of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the September 11th Elections.
As we celebrate our independence a lot has taken place in the area of economic cooperation with Japan. The opening of a JICA office early this year followed the opening of a fully-fledged Embassy in Kampala in October 2003. These two developments have strengthened further the already existing cordial relations between the two countries. The Government and people of Uganda highly appreciate Japanese assistance in the area of construction and improvement of the country’s road network,
Hospital rehabilitation, water provision, NERICA rice project, and many others.
Cooperation between the two countries is increasing day by day with a number of Japanese
Companies seeking joint ventures with Ugandan Companies. The Embassy in conjunction with JETRO
office in Tokyo and Uganda Investment Authority have embarked on a promotional drive by
holding investment Seminars in Japan during which Japanese investors are sensitized about the
investment opportunities existing in Uganda.
Prime Minister Koizumi’s initiative for the LDCs is expected to enhance the flow of foreign
direct investment by Japanese Companies into Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.
Uganda offers an exceptional opportunity for business because of her location ? right in the
heart of Africa, which makes her a preferred home of several leading Multinational
corporations. Her Economy is one of the fastest growing economies at 6% and Uganda
is also one of the most liberal countries for foreign investment in Africa.
According to Uganda Investment Authority officials, up to 61 projects, worth
US$ 137 million have been licensed since the beginning of this year. Foreigners own
41 out of the 61 projects; three are joint ventures while 17 belong to Ugandans.
Hotel operators are expanding facilities in preparation for the 2007 Commonwealth Summit. The
World Bank has agreed to fund the construction of the Bujagali Hydro power plant, which will
greatly enhance the availability of cheap, clean and reliable energy for both home and
industrial use.
Although trade between Uganda and Japan is still small, Uganda’s exports to Japan
are steadily increasing, especially agricultural products such as coffee, tea, vanilla,
tobacco and sesame. Uganda’s tilapia fish is a delicacy now being used to prepare fish burgers
in most of the fast food outlets in Japan. Katsuhara Group operates over twelve coffee shops
in Nagoya, serving mainly Bugisu Elgon Uganda Coffee, which is organically grown without use
of any chemical fertilizers. Its aroma attracted hundreds
of discerning coffee drinkers at Uganda’s booth during AICHI EXPO.
All interested importers and traders are welcome to the Embassy, where all the requisite
information relating to the products I have just mentioned, will be availed.
Whereas Africa’s historical economic role as a source of raw materials to the world may
have contributed to her economic growth in the past, it is now very clear that role has left
Africa in deep poverty and underdevelopment. There is now an urgent need for financing
industry in Africa to add value to the numerous raw materials it produces.
The industrial processing of Africa’s agricultural products such as coffee, cotton, vanilla,
tea, tobacco and many others will offer investors opportunities to supply both domestic and
regional markets as well as lucrative international markets such as Japan.
With regional integration taking place in Africa at an impressive pace, financing of
industry has become more profitable as markets increase in size and Customs unions begin to
offer tariff advantages. Uganda is a member of the East African Community of nations, a market
of about over 100 million consumers of goods and services.
Donors have projected that Uganda’s economic growth will achieve a 6.8% growth rate by
end of next year with inflation remaining under 5% and revenue collections at their best ever
since the tax collecting body was established. With enough revenue at its disposal, Government
is expected to provide infrastructure that is necessary for attracting foreign investment.
Also because of the macro economic policies implemented by the Government in the past, such as
liberalization of capital, privatization and adherence to strict fiscal policy, Uganda’s
economy is expected to remain stable.
The Japanese initiative of Duty and Quota free access for agricultural products from Least
Developed Countries coupled with generous grants and funding for vital priority
infrastructural projects in Uganda will greatly enhance our quest for diversification and
accesses to wider and lucrative markets.
I wish to take this opportunity to invite as many Japanese investors as possible, to go
to Uganda and invest in many virgin and lucrative areas, ranging from manufacturing, farming,
fishing industry, Hotel and catering, mining, food processing, provision of health services
and many others.
With regard to tourism, the number of Japanese applying for tourist visas at the Embassy
in Tokyo has more than doubled. Over one hundred tourist and business visas are issued to
Japanese every month. This is a sign of increasing awareness among the Japanese population
about Uganda and Africa in general.
Dososhin Tour and Travel Company have played a vital role in selling Uganda in the
Japanese market. Many more tour and travel companies are welcome to send as many tourists to
Uganda as Dososhin is doing. Uganda has got a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions. No
wonder Sir Winston Churchill called Uganda,“The Pearl of Africa”.
While many tourists go to Uganda to see mountain gorillas, the country’s other natural
attractions are just as rewarding: tropical rainforests with the highest number of primates in
Africa, spectacular waterways, savannah scenery and imposing snow-capped mountains abound. The
world’s largest fresh water lake (Lake Victoria), the source of the mighty Nile River, the
world’s famous mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees and many others are some of the most
exhilarating tourist attractions found in Uganda.
Most Japanese tourists who have so far visited Uganda have expressed the desire to not
only visit again, but to even settle there. The Hot springs found in western Uganda are
reminiscent of the favorite Onsens in Japan. Mountaineers who enjoy climbing Mt. Fuji will
find Mt. Rwenzori an interesting feature to visit.
Uganda participated in the recently concluded AICHI EXPO 2005, thanks to the Japanese
Government whose magnanimity made it possible for us to fully participate. Uganda’s theme at
the EXPO 2005 was ecotourism, focusing on the rare mountain gorilla and the famous bark cloth.
Ndere Troupe from Uganda was a crowd puller at both the events space and in Kiyosu, our twin
sister City during the EXPO. On this note, let me seize the opportunity to extend heartfelt
gratitude to the people of Shinkawa and Kiyosu for the friendly spirit they exhibited
throughout the EXPO events. I also wish to extend deep appreciation to all Ugandans living and
working in Japan for the support they gave the Embassy during the AICHI EXPO.
Back home, in order to ensure a smooth transitional process, Uganda opened up the
political space and moved from No-Party political arrangement to a multiparty political
system. A referendum took place on 28th July 2005, and the majority opted for a multiparty
political system. Presidential and Parliamentary Elections will be held in March 2006, under
the new political dispensation.
Uganda has just entered the medium performing group having graduated from the Low Human
Development group of Countries. We have performed beyond the targets in the following areas:
Provision of safe drinking water, primary school enrolment, HIV/AIDS control and poverty
reduction, from 56% in 1992 to 34% in 2000. This achievement and the surpassing of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a consequence of generating enough wealth through
primary production and processing so as to generate enough resources to support the process.
Japan has demonstrated immense willingness to help Africa in our endeavor to achieve the
much-coveted Millennium Development Goals. Uganda under the leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni, is pretty much determined to take advantage of this goodwill gesture from the
Japanese Government, in order to ensure future prosperity of all Ugandans.
Let me end by wishing all of you, dear readers, a happy and wonderful October 9th.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.
| COUNTRY PROFILE |
| • Country name: | Republic of Uganda |
| • Location: | East Africa |
| • Head of State: | H.E.Yoweri K.Museveni |
| • Vice President: | Prof. Gilbert Bukenya |
| • Prime Minister: | Prof. Apollo Nsibambi |
| • Foreign Minister: | Hon. Sam K. Kutesa |
| • Population: | 27.6 Million |
• Area: Land
• Area: Water
• Area: Total | 197,097 sq. km
43,942 sq. km
241,039 sq. km |
| • Average temperature: | 22° - 26° Celsius. |
| • Average altitude: | 1200m (4000ft) |
| • Average humidity: | 65 - 75 percent |
| • Official languages: | English and Swahili |
| • Internet domain: | ug |
• International dialing
code: | 256 |
| • Currency: | Shilling |
| • Capital | Kampala |
| • International Airport: | Entebbe |
| • GNP per capita: | US$270 (World Bank 2005 fig.) |
| • Major religions: | Christianity, Islam and Traditional beliefs |
• Uganda Embassy
Tokyo Web site | www.uganda-embassy.jp |
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