Ugandans in Southern Africa establish board of trustees after first convention

PRETORIA: The Ugandan High Commission in South Africa has announced the establishment of the 1st Interim Board of Trustees for the Confederation of Ugandans in Southern Africa (COUSA) following the successful closing ceremony of the 1st Ever Convention of Ugandans in Southern Africa.

Paul Amoru, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, said the development marked a “significant milestone in our efforts to unite and empower the Ugandan community in Southern Africa”.

COUSA was founded with the aim of fostering dialogue, information sharing, collaboration, and networking amongst Ugandans in Southern Africa.

“Our objective is to enhance enterprise development, promote trade and investment, and celebrate the achievements of the Ugandan community in the region. We recognize the value of recognizing and rewarding the achievements, gifts, and talents of Ugandans in the diaspora,” he said in a statement to Daily Secrets.

The historical background of COUSA dates back to its formation as a non-profit organisation in 2018.

It was established as a unifying Confederation for numerous Ugandan organisations, with the purpose of maximising their common leverage and striving for excellence in social, economic, academic, and cultural sectors.

The Ugandan community in Southern Africa, consisting of approximately one million individuals, represents a significant social and economic transformative group in the region.

The 1st Interim Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the Interim Executive Committee, will work hand in hand to review and develop a new broad-based COUSA constitution.

This constitution will consider and reflect the composition and diversity of the Ugandan community in Southern Africa, providing a structure of leadership and governance for COUSA. The Board will also oversee the development of the COUSA Charter, which will further guide our activities and initiatives.

The Interim Board of Trustees and the Interim Executive Committee will have a one-year mandate to complete their tasks.

Within six months, their work should be completed, paving the way for the election of substantive office bearers for the Board and the Executive ahead of the 2024 COUSA Convention proposed for October 2024.

The roles and responsibilities of the Interim Board of Trustees and the Interim Executive Committee include:

1. Reviewing and developing a new broad-based COUSA constitution.
2. Overseeing the development of the COUSA Charter.
3. Considering and reflecting the composition and diversity of the Ugandan community in Southern Africa.
4. Developing a structure of leadership and governance for COUSA.
5. Collaborating closely with the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria.

We extend our congratulations to the 1st Interim Board of Trustees for COUSA:

1. Dr. Echun Daniel – South Africa
2. Mr. Fidel Omiat – Botswana)
3. Mr. Douglas Karujungi – Zimbabwe
4. Ms. Linda Alyek – South Africa
5. Mr. Alex M Kanuga – Lesotho
6. Mr. Alex Phillips Kakuru – South Africa
7. Ms. Rose Nakajubi – South Africa
8. Mr. Andrew Muwonge – Eswatini
9. Mr. John Taineomwangire – Lesotho
10. Mr. Richard Obo – South Africa
11. Mr. Matthew Bagonza – External Envoy

“We would like to reaffirm our commitment to supporting COUSA and its objectives in serving the Ugandan community in Southern Africa.

“Together, we can unlock financial, business, and trading opportunities for the Ugandan diaspora, as well as build collaborative ventures with corporate, businesses, trade and finance organisations,” Amoru said.