By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.

Kampala, Uganda: Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda H.E Ismail A. Alatise has called on African countries to embark on using their available resources and natural endowments to revitalize their economies and boost trade amongst them.

According to Mr. Alatise, available statistics show that trade volume between African countries account for less than 10% of their global trade, intra-African engagement is extremely low which he says can, and must be changed.

During a one-on-one chat with Umoja standard an Online News Agency based in Uganda’s Capital, Kampala, the High Commissioner stressed that increased trade volume would help to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported goods from foreign countries, thus developing their economies and also creating job opportunities.

He cited an example of Nigeria which is the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria’s economy is said to have grown by 3.54% in the second quarter of 2022 making it one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and this is due to the country’s government’s dogged commitment to economic development.

The government had that one of the factors that had contributed to slowing down the economy was the fact that Nigeria depended largely on imported goods. Therefore, at the inception of its administration in 2015, the economy had challenges for which reason it to make economic recovery plan as one of its priorities.

Quickly, the new government embarked on economy diversification measures, away from Nigeria’s large dependence on oil and gas, as the major foreign exchange earner. These measures re-enacted the country’s focus on agriculture which used to be the mainstay of its revenue in the 1970’s before the advent commercial exploration of oil and gas.

Agriculture was then encouraged amongst Nigerian population in order to grow food for both subsistence and commercial purposes that would generate revenue in addition to oil and gas. Government also empowered the Bank of Agriculture to provide incentives to farmers for this purpose.

Within two years, the decision to embark on agriculture started to pay off and was a substitute to food, especially rice which the country used to import. Before 2015, Nigeria imported almost 60% of all the rice that was consumed in the country but later by 2018, it had reduced the importation of rice by almost 90%.

Nigeria now grows and mills the rice consumed in the country and the surplus is exported hence earning it foreign exchange.

“We have had economic recession twice that is; 2016 and 2018 and coupled with the devastating effects of the 2020 outbreak of covid-19 but we were able to quickly recover from it. What the government did in 2016 was to come up with a four-year economic recovery and growth plan that ran from 2016 to 2020.

In the plan, economic diversification was the central issue and we gave priority to sectors that had hitherto attracted less attention and this put the economy on a smooth path.” said the High Commissioner.

“I must say that, what we did differently at that time and now is the fact that we made a dramatic and fundamental change in the way we were previously doing our things because before we almost entirely depended on oil but later realized we needed to look at another direction like agriculture value chain”

“We are fortunate that we have a lot of potentials and our attitude is that these are all for commerce. We give attention to good foreign investors with different types of investment whether it is portfolio type or people who want to bring investment into Nigeria and establish businesses in other sectors, such as the solid mineral. Also,
locally our private sector is doing very well and we are not leaving them behind”.

The High Commissioner underscored that since 2015 the government had decided to involve the private sector to drive the economy and in so doing, they are given incentives and due support by creating enabling environment for them to grow for local consumption and for exports; to also attract foreign direct investment that is
vital to the economy.

‘We are actually doing a lot to make sure that we develop the economy without depending on our foreign partners. If you observe, many Nigerians now a days prefer to wear Nigerian attires and eat Nigerian food even while abroad.

Commenting further about economic dependency of African countries, the His Excellency noted that at the African union level, they now encourage African countries to develop themselves locally and depend on foreign countries to a lesser extent.

The high Commissioner decried the statistics indicating that African countries rarely do business among themselves, and this amounts to only 10% while the other 90% is with foreign countries which is not good at all.

On the other hand, foreign countries largely do business among themselves regionally, so, we need to do whatever is possible to change the narrative and that’s why the Africa Continental Free Trade Area comes in. If we are able to leverage on the good it comes with, it will be a step in the right direction.

“What we have to do is to utilize the potential we have, develop them well for the good of our people and the way to go is to first make sure that we do business together thereby increasing the volume of trade, between Uganda and Nigeria foe instance. If we are thinking about African integration, we should reduce the dependence on foreigners”

The High Commissioner also stressed that research and development is very key because without it, no innovations, no technology; you cannot grow, and continue to depend on foreigners which will not come for free.

“Nigeria and Uganda enjoy cordial relationship and we are looking forward to deepening it not only between us but also at African level by supporting each other whenever the need arises”.

By Robinah Nanyondo/ Julius Mugaga- Umoja Standard.

Kampala, Uganda: While presiding over ‘MY IMPRESSION ART  COMPETITION 2023’ organized by Nigerian High Commission in Uganda, Culture Minister Hon. Peace Mutuuzo ‘we are not gay to accept homosexuality in Uganda. We and the youth shall fight to the end and defeat it’.

(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo- Uganda’s State Minister for Gender in charge of Gender & Cultural Affairs with H.E. Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima- High Commissioner of United Republic of Tanzania to Uganda and Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda on either sides drumming in African way. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

“It is not the bums they are looking for but they are trying to change our mindset and we shall not accept that”. Stated Minister Mutuuzo.

She said that, met President Museveni and asked him to secure for them land where we shall establish the Centre to keep all Art pieces in that it will be easy for people to access and get a variety from one point.

She believed that, if the latter is executed, ‘we shall be able to develop our Art industry and use it to impact on national development and upload accepted norms of culture’.

(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda with Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre are seen at My Impression Arts Competition 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

Addresing the congregation at the Nigeria-Uganda Arts Competition tagged “My Impression Arts Competition 2023”, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Ismail A. Alatisementioned that as part of their efforts to promote cultural relation between Nigeria and Uganda, the High Commission considered it worthwhile to organize the Arts Competition Cum Exhibition in collaboration with the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) to give our young creative compatriots the opportunity to work on the theme: “My impression of Nigeria, My impression of Uganda”.

(L-R) H.E. Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima- High Commissioner of United Republic of Tanzania receives a souvenir from H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

He said, the competition also aimed at deepening creative and cultural ties, Pan-Africanism and cultural exchange between the two countries.

“We are here therefore, to bear witness to what kind of impression our young Nigerians have of Uganda as well as the impression of our young Ugandans about Nigeria”. He remarked.

(L-R) H.E Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda receives a souvenir from H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

“A picture is worth a thousand words”. ‘Art speaks its own language whether it is a painting, sculpture, dance routine or your favourite song. Art is able to say things that words sometimes can’t. It’s an international language that anyone from anywhere can understand’. He emphasized.

“I am confident that this is the inspiration of our young experts gathered here tonight which would speak to the national consciousness of our two countries and discretely push for a change with just a paint and a brush in hand, a political and non-violent positive change”. He added.

H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda and beloved wife are seen at the event. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

H.E Alatise believed that it would be interesting to see that, in their (young artists) skillful hands, art functions as a medium of interpreting society, what is going on around us, our characters and our way of life as a nation.

He stated that it is pertinent to mention here that ‘at times paintings may depict a not- very-pleasant impression about a particular culture or society, yet that would be a perfect reflection of the imagination of the artist, not necessarily a factual representation due to limitation of exposure and understanding at the time of translating the product of mind to a visual impression. It is like the parable of the proverbial elephant and the blind man’.

Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese (in yellow), the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda award one of the best performers in the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

He iterated that art is culture and Culture is a powerful tool to build bridges between people, notably the young, and to reinforce mutual understanding. Culture can also be an engine for economic and social development and become a vector for economic growth. ‘It is my hope that this collaboration to enhance cultural relations between the two countries and showcase Africanism would be sustained’.

With him at the sidelines of the event, Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) stated that Artily culture has been pronounced very clearly as one of the principles and one of the tenants for transformation of this country. Its one of the ways in which the National Development Plan is using for mindset change and social transformation.

Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) addresses the congregation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

“It is very clearly articulated in NDP under those two areas which is being championed by the ministry of gender, labor and social development. It also cuts across other sectors like science and technology”. Said Mr. Ojede.

He emphasized that Art is very important aspect of any development and it’s going to be more pronounced because it is a clear realization that art and culture cannot be blushed aside.

“Art and culture is the way of life and therefore it provides the basis tenants in everything we do. It cuts across ourselves in the clothes we put on, the architecture in terms of houses that we build and we go into the tools that we use in our houses and offices”. Said Mr. Ojede.

(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda with Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre consult during  ‘My Impression Arts Competition 2023′ at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

Artily culture is very broad concept that runs through many domains that is visual art, performing art, architecture, film and others.

He highlighted that Art is no longer seen as entertainment and education but also becoming one of the aspects of economic development, it helps in social transformation and also does edutainment. Therefore, art plays a fundamental role not only to the development but also the society.

He also mentioned that ‘Art also empowers the people, creates employment and it is also one of the most powerful things that we can echo to if this country is to develop’.

Below are the overall successful artists of the competition in order of performance.

PICTORIAL OF MAJOR EVENTS AT THE AWARD CEREMONY. All Photos by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

Congregation at ‘My Impression Arts Comopetition 2023’.

(L-R) Veteran musician Hon. Rechael Magoola, H.E Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda, H.E Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda, H.E Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushebeye- Burundian High Commissioner to Uganda attend the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ award ceremony at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

(R-L) Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda and veteran musician Hon. Rechael Magoola are seen at the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

(R-L) Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda and H.E Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda interact with their phones at the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.

Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese (in yellow), the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda looks at the Art pieces during the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala.

Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda gets excited at the Art pieces.

H.E Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushebeye- Burundian High Commissioner to Uganda expresses excitement at Art pieces made by youth during ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ award ceremony at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala.

Phillip Barimunsi, the Manager Nommo Gallery speaks to the congregation during ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ .

Judges of the the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′  are seen waiting for their awards.

(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda awards one of the successful artists of the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′.

Talented ladies entertain the congregation.