At least 500 have already registered. The largest Ugandan diaspora group, according to Kabugu, will use this year’s gathering to elect its new leadership. The convention will feature a beauty contest (Miss Uganda North America), a trade expo, a full day of panels on international business, investment and wealth and cultural concerts.
Confirmed popular Ugandan artistes include Chameleone, Fille, Geosteady, Naira Ali, John Blaq and Kenneth Mugabi. Delegates will also enjoy a boat cruise dinner on Lake Michigan and have a chance to tour Chicago, the USA’s third largest city, its navy pier and Willis tower with a glass skywalk.
For the past two decades, UNAA has evolved from being a mere party gathering to a strong lobby group and networking platform aimed at spurring investment back home. Top government officials, international businesspeople and politicians from both Uganda and USA attend the annual gathering.
The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga was the chief guest at last year’s convention in Seattle. In her remarks, Kadaga promised to encourage MPs to work with UNAA on promoting food security in Uganda.
“A new partnership is going to be developed between parliament and UNAA on the manufacturing of silos to store food to cater for price fluctuations,” Kadaga said, adding, “together with companies in United States, the diaspora and banks, we should improve the livelihoods of the people”.
500 delegates from Uganda have reportedly already registered for the convention.