Uganda promoted at London Commonwealth Fair

London, November 12, 2008

Over 34 Commonwealth countries including Uganda took part in the London Commonwealth Fair in Kensington Town Hall in West London from 7-8 November 2008. Among the people who attended the event were Directors of Uganda Opportunity Network (UGoNET), an organization that aims to promote Uganda overseas and attract investment to the country. The event was organized by the Commonwealth Countries League (CCL).

Promoting Uganda:(from left) UGoNET Director Robert Egwea, Mrs Resty Peters and UGoNET Executive Director Flavia Ndikuno

UGONET Directors Flavia Ndikuno and Robert Egwea took the opportunity to promote Uganda at the event as they interacted with various commonwealth counterparts about the forthcoming Uganda Expo. They proudly identified themselves with the Ugandan stall, manned by a Ugandan lady, Mrs Rasty Peters and her son. Here, beautiful Ugandan crafts were displayed, epitomizing the beauty of the “Pearl of Africa”

“We are proud to be Ugandans. This is the kind of thing we want to do from time to time to promote Uganda to the outside world and to attract investors to our beautiful country. That is why we have organized Uganda Expo, a grand event that will take place in East London from 28-29 November”, said Flavia Ndukuno, Executive Director of UGoNET.

Miss Tourism East Africa 2007, Maureen Nyakairu, a 2^nd year Medical Engineering Ugandan student at Queen Mary University London was 5th runner up at the Miss Commonwealth Pageant.  “We are here to promote Uganda” she said. This struck accord with UGoNET directors, who invited the Ugandan beauty to officiate at the first ever Uganda Expo at the end of this month.

Miss Tourism East Africa 2007, Maureen Nyakairu (in red) poses with Mrs Rasty Peters and UGoNET Directors Robert Egwea (left) and Flavia Ndikuno (right)

The greater purpose of the Commonwealth Fair is to raise the much-needed resources for CCL’s Education Fund, which has been sponsoring needy girls through secondary education in their own countries for over 40 years. Currently CCLEF supports over 400 girls in over 20 countries including Uganda.

This was the first public engagement of Lango-born Robert Olet Egwea in the capacity of UGoNET Director following his recent appointment. This month alone Mr Egwea, is scheduled to attend the World Peace Festival on 22 November and host Uganda Expo from 28-29 November in London.

“I am delighted to be doing something so worthwhile for my country, the Pearl of Africa. I hope this new role will help us raise awareness about Northern Uganda, a region that has been devastated by conflict for two decades. This is an opportunity to attract investors to the region and to enable enterprising Ugandans develop business links with the outside world”, said Mr Egwea, former General Secretary of Lango Association UK, who was the brain behind Lango Diaspora Conference that took place in London in August 2007.

For more information about the forthcoming Uganda Expo, visit UGoNET website: www.ugandaopportunity.co.uk

Filed under: London UK