The government of Uganda and Eritrean leaders in the country have agreed to establish an information center that will provide important business knowledge to Eritrean investors. This was decided during the first-ever Eritrean diaspora investment conference in Kampala, organized by the president’s office in charge of diaspora affairs, under the theme ‘Anchoring Eritrean investment into a vibrant Uganda.’
The third Deputy Premier, Lukia Nakadama, who was the chief guest, praised Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi for the initiative and for carrying forward President Museveni’s vision of making Uganda an investment hub. Nakadama echoed the president’s call for the spirit of Pan-Africanism, which promotes brotherhood among Africans. By anchoring Eritrean investment in Uganda’s economy, the country will be taking a step towards achieving the president’s vision of having a robust East African economy that’s not dependent on donor funding.
The Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, said the capital city is full of opportunities, especially for serious investors. She pointed out that an Eritrean-Uganda center, which will act as a stop-gap measure to some of the issues that could hinder Eritrean investment in the country, will also house cultural artifacts. Kabanda said her office is open to Eritrean investors who plan to invest in Kampala.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Amb. Abbey Walusimbi, commended the Eritreans for contributing to Uganda’s economic growth through various investments. However, he noted that the Eritrean community faces several challenges, including access to information on investment areas, access to work permits, business and trade incentives, information on taxation, laws governing citizenship, the process of acquiring land for business and investment, and verification of Eritrean academic papers to enable Eritreans to access Ugandan job opportunities, among others. Walusimbi assured the Eritrean community that the aforementioned challenges would be solved as part of the president’s vision of creating one market for Africa’s economic prosperity.
The Eritrean community representative, Kidane Ghebrehawariat Habteselassie, said the conference opened a new chapter to further the existing ties between both nations. He commended the government and people of Uganda for welcoming them and mentioned that President Museveni has championed many great achievements, including peace and his relentless commitment to the spirit of Pan-Africanism. However, he appealed to the government to deal with challenges such as crimes of theft that discourage investors.
The event saw representatives from several organizations, including Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Ministry of Trade, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Directorate of Citizenship Immigration Control, Office of the President, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Lands, State House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anti-Corruption Unit, Bank of Uganda, Post Bank Uganda, Uganda Police Force, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Judiciary, State House Legal Unit, MOF Diaspora Dept, Bank of Uganda, and Post Bank.
Meanwhile, many Eritreans accused the Eritrean Government through social media of not enabling a suitable environment to invest in the country. The country’s construction and private sector is almost an inactive state since decades ago.
Hence Eritrean businessmen have flocked to other African countries to pursue their business needs. Main Eritrean business destinations are Angola, South Sudan, Uganda, and recently Ethiopia.