Ugandans living and working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to host the 7th edition of the Uganda-UAE Convention, which will bring together Ugandan leaders and investors to discuss and resolve pertinent issues.

The 7th Uganda-United Arab Emirates is set to take place at the HYATT Regency Hotel, Deira, UAE, with the aim of promoting trade, investments, and business, among others.

The conference is expected to host 500 people from Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from November 25, 2023, to November 30, 2023.

According to H.E Henry Mayega, the Ambassador of Uganda to Dubai, like all other Ugandan diaspora conventions, the expectations are many.

“It’s going to be the 7th anniversary of the reunion of the Ugandan diaspora in the UAE, with lots of emphasis on the diverse cultures of Uganda,” Mayega said.

“There will be exhibitions of Ugandan blended products and services that people in the UAE can buy. Opportunities for investment in Uganda will also be explained to potential investors present,” he added.

Mayega then said that people in the diaspora itself will be mobilized to send more remittances to Uganda, noting that they’re already sending over $200 million.

“The trade volumes, especially of food stuffs, are also expected to increase given that it’s the diaspora community that majorly deals in them. The trade volume between Uganda and the UAE is currently in the range of $2 billion,” Mayega said.

He added that the government of Uganda has been supporting the diaspora in many ways.

“Recently, President Yoweri K. Museveni gifted the diaspora $50,000 in support of their administrative desk. The Uganda Consulate General in Dubai has supported the organization of the convention by recommending it to potential donors and advertisers,” he said.

The convention will facilitate the formation of strategic partnerships and collaborations with UAE businesses, which can open up new market opportunities for individuals through access to information that offers insights on business opportunities, market trends, and investment incentives in both Uganda and the UAE.

The event that takes place annually is a forum dedicated to bringing Ugandans in the Middle East together, promoting trade, tourism, and investments in Uganda, and leading relations between the two countries.