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Dear UNAA Members, Welcome you back from the 26th Annual UNAA Convention held over the Labor Day weekend at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in the beautiful city of San Diego, CA. We join you all in expressing our deepest gratitude to the San Diego Host Convention Organizing Committee under the very able leadership of Mr. Ivan Mwanja and Mrs. Fiona Crabbe. Their commitment, fortitude and foresight formed the foundation for what is widely regarded by various convention delegates as the very best UNAA Convention in history. For those who could not attend, you truly missed out, but we look forward to seeing you in 2015. By all measures, and against all odds, it was a very successful convention, and most importantly, for the second year in a row, UNAA walked away with all its bills paid. Now with Dallas 2013 and San Diego 2014 in the history books among the most fiscally responsible conventions; the UNAA Executive Committee continues delivering on its promise to UNAA members to be fiscally responsible and to continue exercising strong, decisive and prudent leadership. The Financial report will follow shortly in the next couple of weeks. The posting of the various presentations will be availed online in due course. Before we present you with the UNAA 2014 San Diego Post Convention Report and Summary we would like to formally invite you to the 27th Annual UNAA Convention that will be held in the historic and uniquely American city of New Orleans, during the Labor Day weekend of September 5th - 7th 2015.
Built along a bend of the Mississippi River until the 20th century in the shape of a crescent, New Orleans was nicknamed the Crescent City; one of the world's most fascinating cities, steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond and is, home to a truly unique melting pot of culture, food and music.
Come down and experience New Orleans; one of America's most culturally and historically-rich destinations. Come and be introduced to all of the Big Easy's greatest charms. You can register now at the much discounted early bird rate of $150 for Registered UNAA Members and $180 for Non UNAA Members: www.unaa.org/register-now. The Early Bird Rate will be ending soon. The New Orleans 2015 convention details like hotel, programs and forums will be announced in due course and all information will be posted at the official UNAA Convention website: www.unaa.org/convention. Photo Gallery: Video Gallery: You can see the highlights of the breaking barriers forum here:
 | | Breaking Barriers: Helping Ugandans cope with life in the U.S |
 | | The Prime Minister of Uganda Amama Mbabazi addressing UNAA Convention in San Diego |
You can see the highlights of the convention here:  | | Highlights from evening events at the UNAA Convention in San Diego, California. |
2. Gratitude to the Teams 2.1 In addition to the San Diego Host Convention Organizing Committee, we would like to thank the local Ugandan community in San Diego led by its Chairman Mr. Eli Aongo, the Ugandan Community in Los Angeles led by its President Mr. David Kabukuru, the Ugandan Community in the Pacific Northwest led by its incoming President Mr. John Agaba, and its outgoing President Sgt. Stephen Katende who is also the Deputy Speaker of the UNAA Council. We also thank the Ugandan Community in San Francisco community led by its President Mr. Lauben Kavuma. Your combined leadership efforts in mobilizing the Ugandan communities on the West Coast were instrumental in our having high convention delegate numbers. We are truly grateful. 2.2 We thank the following organizations and their leaders for the cultural presentations they made during the Saturday Luncheon in line with the theme of the convention "Unity through Cultural Awareness." Ms. Ruth Bahika, the President of the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB), Mr. Andrew Mungoma, the President of the North American Masaba Cultural Association (NAMCA), Ms. Sarah Alobo who represented the Lango Association of North America (LAONA) and Mr. George Kakaire who represented Basoga Twegaite. We also thank the leaders of the Acholi Community of North America (ACNA) in San Diego for their valuable assistance during the planning of the convention. 3. Speakers 3.1 The Key Note Speakers truly spoke to the theme of the convention. Mrs. Maria Rwamukunyu made a presentation on the traditional marriage rituals (Kweranga) of the Batooro people of Western Uganda. The Rev. Samuel Magala made a presentation on the history, cultural significance and status of ongoing renovations to the Kasubi Tombs in Buganda, Central Uganda. Ms. Beatrice Owere made a presentation on the history and marriage traditions of the Japadhola people of Eastern Uganda. Dr. George Otto made a presentation on culture and its role in the lives of the Acholi people (Northern Uganda) over the past 100 years. We are truly thankful.  3.2 We thank the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, for her presentations in the Trade & Investment Forum and the Saturday Luncheon as well as making available a delegation of Members of Parliament for questions from their constituents in the Diaspora. It is vital that the political leadership in Uganda continues to actively engage the diaspora constituency in Uganda's social economic and political development. We are thankful.  We thank the then Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi for his inspiration speeches during both the Saturday Lunch and Sunday Banquet during which he thanked Ugandans in the Diaspora for their ongoing contributions to the development of Uganda and urged them to be both proud to be Ugandan and active partners in Uganda's future, as well as his pledge to address issues raised by the diaspora like, visa fees, etc. You can see the highlights of the Prime Minister's address here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0vkWBXEFgQ&feature=youtu.be | | The Prime Minister of Uganda Amama Mbabazi addressing UNAA Convention in San Diego |
3.3 We thank the Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament; Hon. Nandala Mafabi, the then Prime Minister, Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde of the East African Legislative Assembly and Senior Presidential Advisor Mr. Moses Byaruhanga for participating in the very spirited Political Forum. We also thank Mr. Moses Mayanja of Seattle, WA for agreeing to moderate the debate. 3.4 We thank the delegation of officials from Uganda's Embassy to the United States led by H.E. Ambassador Oliver Wonekha and the Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Alfred Nam. 3.5 We also thank the other representatives from the Government of Uganda and the delegation from the Parliament of Uganda for availing themselves to the public so UNAA Members could ask them questions regarding the many social-economic and political on goings in Uganda. 3.6 We thank the Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, the many representatives from the Africa Travel Association and other representatives from Uganda's tourism industry for kicking off their US "Destination Uganda" campaign at our convention and for being our sponsors. 4. Programs, Sessions and Forums 4.1 The 6th Trade and Investments Forum 4.1.1 The 6th trade and investments forum which took place over the entire first day of the convention and was moderated by Mr. Dennis Matanda and Mr. Fred Kalema-Musoke. The forum featured a variety of exciting presentations and attendees engaged in spirited debates on a wide range of topics including specific aspects of the investment climate in Uganda and actual opportunities for increased trade with North America. 4.2 Technology Forum - "Bridging the Digital Divide" 4.2.1 The theme for the San Diego UNAA technology forum was "Bridging the Digital Divide", which was a continuation of the discussion started last year at the Dallas convention. The forum was organized by Eng. Nicholas Wakou, Eng. Fred Byabagye and Novat Nintunze, PhD. There were 2 invited speakers who gave very insightful papers; Mr. Teddy Ruge presented a paper on "Maximizing your Digital Footprint" using social media and Mr. Tim Gaburungyi presented one on "Technology Solutions", a case study of the Javits Technology Center. The organizers presented additional papers. 4.2.2 All presentations were well received as shown by the number and quality of questions that were raised during the Q&A panel discussions. The forum attracted about 40 attendees at its peak. Uganda's Ambassador to the US, Her Excellency Olive Wonekha was in attendance and encouraged attendees with viable projects and ideas to use the favorable investment environment to start them in Uganda. A number of attendees shared the challenges they face when they attempt to start off technology projects in Uganda. 4.3 Breaking Barriers - "Strengthening the African Community through Cultural Identification and Educational Transformation" 4.3.1 UNAA Male Youth Council Representative Mr. John Ssemanda created and developed an effective Youth Program which offered educational activities, entertainment, networking events and open forum discussions centered on community development. This year his organization hosted a very empowering event forum "Strengthening the African Community through Cultural Identification and Educational Transformation" which was attended by not only youth but many elders. Mr. Ssemanda on the behalf of his organization "Breaking Barriers" and UNAA have been engaging with Ugandan communities' to promote networking, cultural identification and community development and we appreciate all his efforts with developing the Ugandan Diaspora Community. 4.3.2 We would also like to recognize the very exciting "Youth to Youth" forum where UNAA youth members candidly discussed strategies to overcome the many challenges they face today such as teen pregnancy, cyber bullying, alcohol and drug abuse and peer pressure. Youth members in this forum also got a unique opportunity talk one-on-one with Uganda's Ambassador to the United States and other representatives from the Uganda Government.
4.4 Northern Uganda Forum - "Reigniting and Reclaiming our Northern Cultural Heritage and Greatness in the Post-Conflict Uganda" 4.4.1 The 24th Northern Uganda Forum during the Uganda North America Association Convention held at San Diego, California August 29 to September 1St 2014 was held under the theme, "Reigniting and Reclaiming our Northern Cultural Heritage and Greatness in the Post-Conflict Uganda". The Theme was aligned with that of the 26th UNAA Convention - "Unity through Cultural Awareness." 4.4.2 Over the years Dr. Benjamin Omara Abe motivated by the selfless quest for Post Conflict Recovery and Development of Northern Uganda has kept the Northern Uganda Forum active and alive. In recent years The Hon. Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Hon. Rebecca Amuge Otengo and Mr. Dickson Ogwang who heads the Counter LRA and Northern Uganda Recovery desk at our Washington, D.C. Mission have shifted the momentum and created even greater interest from the Diaspora by giving a better understanding of developments and pacification efforts from home in a bid to help put Northern Uganda at par with the rest of Uganda, the gaps that exist and better approaches to mitigate the challenges in the Peace Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP). 4.4.3 This year we have seen value addition to the forum with the panel being occupied by Government Ministers charged with special responsibilities covering different regions of the country with a history of special challenges and interest. These include Karamoja with Hon. Barabara Nekesa Oundo, Minister of State for Karamoja, Teso with Hon. Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu, Minister of State for Teso, Luwero Triangle with Hon. Sarah Kataike Ndoboli, Minister of State for Luweero and Bunyoro with Hon. Ernest Kizza Apuuli, Minister of State for Bunyoro in a delegation led by the Minister of State for Northern Uganda the Hon. Rebecca Amuge Otengo who covers the greater PRDP region of Uganda. 4.4.4 We also had other distinguished speakers that included anti LRA activist Ms. Jolly Okot, Founder of Invisible Children, Uganda and Dr. George Otto, Physician from Toronto Canada. With Hon. Richard Todwong, Minister for Political Mobilization and Moses Byaruhanga, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization the tone of the discussion was set. We were able to share a lot from the panelists on the richness of the culture of our people from the various regions represented and the potential that exists in the area of tourism, trade and investment including the potential and opportunities with the emerging Oil and Gas economy in the region. Learning the rich cultures and potentials of the Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karamojong, Banyoro, the Baganda and how these cultures shapes our development agenda was of great interest to our Diaspora community. Besides sharing ideas of pacification and development from especially the different Ministers with special responsibilities with affirmative action was encouraging as it presented Uganda as a country on a clear path to national unity and reconciliation. 4.4.5 It is now our desire that the Tribal Kings and Chiefs of the various tribal communities in Uganda be embraced, supported and encouraged to consolidate that which is started by the Northern Uganda Forum and help work together in informing our diasporas of the need for Unity through Cultural Awareness through the knowledge that we have great cultural connectedness as a people who share a lot in common, in our cultural heritage and history. We should therefore be more united than divided along tribal or ethnic lines as we pursue a development agenda for our country. 4.5 UNAA Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program and Fund 4.5.1 Earlier last year, the UNAA Executive Committee established - a key administration initiative -- the Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program to award initially two scholarships of $1,000 each - for one female and for one male each year for college bound students who show potential for leadership as a way of identifying and grooming the next generation of UNAA's leadership. 4.5.2 We would like to thank Ms. Beatrice Musisi of Afrisent who donated two fashion pieces to be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to the Emerging Leaders Scholarship Fund. The items auctioned by the UNAA Vice President, Mr. Monday Atigo, raised $800. One piece bought by Ms. Angela Ssemukutu of Boston raised $500 and the other item bought by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi raised $300 who in turn gave it to the UNAA President, Mr. Brian Kwesiga and thanked him for his great leadership. 4.5.3 In addition, the Rt. Hon. Mbabazi and his wife, Mrs. Jacqueline Mbabazi, made a personal donation of $5,000 towards the UNAA Emerging Leaders Scholarship Fund. We are grateful. We are happy to announce Ms. Anizia Thelma; a petroleum engineering student at Louisiana State University as the inaugural recipient of the UNAA Emerging Leaders Scholarship for 2014. 5. Entertainers and Other Volunteers 5.1 Many artists who both individually and together presented the many fantastic performances enjoyed by our delegates. The convention officially opened on Friday night with an electrifying gospel concert by the Revival Power Ministries Choir from Los Angeles. This was followed by renditions of the national anthems by children from the Ugandan Community in Los Angeles who also subsequently stunned the audience with their dance moves. Ugandan sensation Jackie Chandiru performed on Friday Night. 5.2 Saturday night saw short teasers presentations by the Ugandan dynamic duo Radio and Weasel during the boat cruise, an extended concert by the best Ugandan band in America, Touch 'n Soul, and the rocking International Concert featuring many contemporary artists. 5.3 All this led to closing ceremonies and both traditional and contemporary performances that "brought the house down." Formal traditional presentations comprised of a Kinyankole dance by a group from Los Angeles led by Mrs. Prossy Bahinyoza, and a Kiganda dance by a duo led by Mrs. Eva Ariko. Delegates joined in to perform another Kiganda dance and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister personally led other delegates in a Kikiga dance. This was rounded up with members of the Basoga community dancing in honor of their new Kyabazinga. 5.4 These were followed by a repeat performance by Touch 'n Soul, performances by Sera Lubowa Muhenda, and finally, the night was brought to close by Uganda's own Radio and Weasel who literally "tore it up" and left the audience begging for more.
6. Special Meeting 6.1 A month ago we warned you about people who were registering people claiming to be part of UNAA. Every so often, individuals with unprincipled objectives will attempt to emulate UNAA's success and defraud some unfortunate people into paying them for services equal to those that UNAA delivers with baited promises of doing so at or below market costs taking advantage of UNAA's Non Profit Status without the strong financial muscle to defend its intellectual property in the courts of law. 6.2 As agreed upon in the Special Meeting of UNAA members and supporters, a permanent Legal Fund has been set up to safeguard the organization's intellectual property against individuals who perpetuate activities in the name of the organization. While we live in a democratic society with the freedom of association; it is against the law of this land to associate and defraud unsuspecting members of the public under the pretext of another entity. Members and well-wishers can donate to the legal fund here: http://tinyurl.com/UNAALegalFund 6.3 A reconciliation committee composed by among others respected community members; Mr. Gerald Mutyaba, Mrs. Dorothy Musoke Mugerwa, Mr. Anthony Rwamukungu, Mr. Kizza Seninde, Hajji. Bulaimu Muwanga Kibiringe, Mrs. Joy Magara was formed to reach out to the disaffected members and report back to the Executive Committee for consideration and possible implementation of recommendations. 7. Challenges & Way forward 7.1 An interesting challenge was the boat cruise. We had conservatively planned for about 250 but instead found ourselves having to negotiate for a bigger boat to accommodate the nearly 500 who ultimately attended. This is a marked increase over the roughly 300 who attended the boat cruise in Philadelphia two years ago a promise of UNAA's future. The other challenges encountered were also related to the more than anticipated convention delegates which led to unusually long registration lines on Friday and hence a delay in the start of the opening ceremony. These challenges too were quickly addressed and by Saturday morning; all the hallmarks of a great convention were in place. 7.2 The other challenge moving forward will be how the organization's leadership puts mechanisms in place to stop the organization from splitting every time there are elections. 7.3 The other challenge we experienced was in organizing the health forum in a way that catered to all constituents to ensure that the presenters all were able to present in the allotted times. We apologies were things may not have gone the way we had planned. 7.4 The UNAA Executive Committee received three magnificent proposals for UNAA 2015 - Seattle, Portland and New Orleans. As we had the just been on the West Coast this year, New Orleans unanimously won the bid. 8. Conclusion 8.1 When people with passion and commitment create and build strong enterprises, members and society benefit. But these founders can sometimes turn into their own worst enemies when they refuse to recognize that their organization has outgrown them, needing leadership skills the founder (s) does not have or refuses to develop. While many nonprofits owe their success - and in fact their very existence - to their founders, those same individuals can create chaos that ultimately leads to the organization's collapse if they are unwilling to let go of the reins of power even when the majority UNAA membership has pronounced itself. 8.2 That we can even organize a UNAA convention like the one we just concluded at the Hyatt La Jolla hotel in San Diego, attracting thousands of Ugandans from across the globe, Ugandans of all walks of life, of all demographics, of all persuasions all willingly coming together under one roof is an epic accomplishment many other nations can only wish for. It appears to come so easily to us that we sometimes fail to appreciate and show gratitude for this great blessing. 8.3 Yet, A UNAA convention is so much greater than the hosting hotel, that banquet hall or even the best attraction of a hosting city. These things have always existed and anyone of us so inclined can visit these cities and hotels to enjoy these amenities at any time. But we all know that many of us will hold off such an excursion until it has the added value of a Ugandan experience, one we willingly share with our larger family of fellow Ugandans. And that is what makes the difference and makes our passion for UNAA much deeper. 8.4 So great is this passion that many of us will make the time and effort to participate in activities that add to the UNAA experience. Some will spend quality time and energy away from Ugandan friends, family and fun in a sweltering hotel kitchen to ensure that the rest of us at the convention enjoy uniquely Ugandan cuisine. Some of us will drive out for miles around a hosting city shopping for the goods and services that a convention consumes. Some of us will donate time to man registration and information desks so that our fellow Ugandans can have an easier time at the convention. Some of us will spend several hours throughout the year negotiation with hotel, city and taxation authorities so that UNAA attendees get the best deal. And yet even others will work the phones and visit several offices in a bid to secure sponsorship for the greater good of our fellow Ugandans at a UNAA convention. The thankless efforts by our own fellow Ugandans are too many to fairly list but that UNAA can attract this kind of devotion is a testament to the greatness that often gets hidden in a blind spot. 8.5 The other great thing is that many of us genuinely want an even more perfect UNAA. We do not shy away from offering advice and even criticism when something does not go the way we think it should have. This noble intention for UNAA may at times appear to conflict and that is the richness and not the weakness of diversity. UNAA keeps getting this counsel and UNAA is always changing even when we appear to repeat the same mistakes. It is a slow process and in between, UNAA's path may appear to wonder away from the goal but in the end our rightful patience and persistence is what will get UNAA towards its goal. 8.6 UNAA was the crop we planted back in 1988 and we have not abandoned it when the weeds of a divergent vision or less than optimal performance grow within the rows. We have rather united to uproot the weeds taking care to protect the young crop from the scythe. As UNAA grows we need to nurture it by enriching the soils in which it is rooted with our volunteering efforts. The rainy season of good fortune is a time for growth but also for careful and intentional preparation for the dry season when we reap and celebrate the seeds and blessings of our labor. 8.7 In UNAA, we have a great and strong association. Next year, with the elections, we get to decide UNAA's course for the 2015 to 2017 season. It is a time to get even more involved and our opportunity to expend our energy in the noble pursuit of the hearts and minds of our fellow UNAA members, a time to inspire our membership with the hopes we have towards UNAA's promise. A democratic exercise like this means we will have views as diverse as we are unique and the responsibility before us is to respect and realize the dream UNAA's members decide to pursue. 8.8 Following the UNAA San Diego convention; a bigger, better and stronger UNAA has emerged - An association whose very existence is not beholden to any individuals or groups of individuals - and that is a positive and welcome development. Our beloved organization has come of age. 8.9 Again, we welcome you back from the 26th Annual UNAA Convention at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in the beautiful city of San Diego, CA and formally invite you to register now for the 27th Annual UNAA Convention in another historic city - New Orleans www.unaa.org/register-now Prepared by the UNAA National Executive Committee, 2013-2015
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President Wrn Kizza-Besigye and first son Adam Ampa -- H.OGWAPITI ----------------------------------------------------- "To announce th...
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