COMMUNITY IN DIASPORA RE-STRATEGIZES TO DEVELOP WEST NILE REGION

Members of the West Nile community in the US and other stakeholders. Courtesy Photo.

Apamaku Gaetano and Moriku Janet
Washington D.C

West Nile Diaspora Convention has officially kicked off in Washington, D.C., USA, with strong calls for members of the West Nile community living in the United States and Europe to re-strategize and actively contribute to development initiatives in the West Nile region. While delivering a message from the King of   the Alur Kingdom, Ambassador Patrick Oyullu who represented the Alur Kingdom, urged the West Nile diaspora to reflect on the impact and direction of their interventions back home.
 
To all sons and daughters of West Nile living abroad, I urge you to stand together, speak as one voice, let the convention not be an end, launch ventures that support schools, invest in hospitals, build enterprises, change people’s livelihoods, inculcate a culture of service above self,” Oyullu appealed.
 
Sisto Ocanda Andama, the chairperson of the convention underscored the critical role of the convention in uniting the diaspora for regional development.
Andama said, “It is about harnessing our collective momentum to propel west Nile forward in a sustainable manner towards prosperity and global recognition, together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities and create a brighter future for West Nile and its people.”  
 
Meanwhile, Royce Ayikoru Andrua, a delegate at the convention rallied the West Nilers in diaspora to take interest in agro-processing.
 
“In the area of value chain, we can invest in the area of agro processing plant, and storage and reduce the post-harvest losses, we can also support climate smart farming technologies, supply improved quality planting materials, and efficient and effective extension services, we can link farmers to market access and diversification into higher export markets for smallholder farmers and enhance their market,” she explained.
 
Also present at the convention was Ambassador Tayebwa Katureebe, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. He encouraged the West Nile diaspora community to actively contribute to the development of their home region.
 
He noted that, “I have seen you discuss serious issues, I want to encourage you to continue with this because it’s through this that we will make a difference not only for our personal lives but for our country.”
 
The West Nile Diaspora Convention was first held in Sweden last year, Under the theme 'Advancing the Momentum,' this year’s discussions focus on identifying and understanding the local challenges facing the West Nile region, with the goal of informing future strategic interventions by the diaspora community.