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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026
Dr Lazarus Anguvaa, the chairperson of the steering committee for the West Nile diaspora convention has challenged the journalist and media personalities in the West Nile region to increase the spotlight on investment opportunities in order to attract development in the region.
“This is not going to be a one person’s effort. Transforming our region is going to require a collective responsibility and you media are an integral part of that effort,” he emphasized.
Dr Onzivaa urged the journalists during a media conference on Sunday to make their professional mark on publicizing the preparatory activities of the upcoming convention, emphasizing the objectives of the grand gathering.
The event that will be held at the Leonardo Hotel, Milton Keynes, in London from July 16 to 18, 2026 will bring together an amalgam of West Nile people plying their expert trade in the North America, Europe, Asia and Australia as well as other parts of Africa to brainstorm on unlocking investment opportunities in the region.
It is acollaborative undertaking of the West Nile Welfare and Development Association UK (WNWDA), in collaboration with the West Nile Diaspora Community (WDC), the West Nile Development Association (WENDA), Madi Cultural and Development Foundation (MACDEF) and The West Nile Foundation (WNF).
“If household incomes are improved, that is really an important leap. If the Westnilers working abroad can invest their money home to improve agricultural production, create jobs for the youths, it will boost the local economy,” said Dr Anguvaa.
Members of parliament representing West Nile Parliamentary caucus, the office of the President, the Uganda Tourism board and the operation wealth creation are entities invited to be present.
The Arua city leadership, Chief Administrative officers and LC5 chairpersons from West Nile, the regional chamber of commerce are also expected to attend.
Meanwhile technocrats and business gurus from the United Kingdom and Ireland are invited to grace the event to explore areas for possible investment in agriculture especially irrigation and climate smart agriculture, tourism and infrastructure and business opportunities.
To cover those who will be unable to attend in person, the organizing committee plans to make the convention hybrid with a You-Tube channel and social media handles under the West Nile diaspora association set to be deployed for that purpose.
This year’s convention has a specific agenda to raise funds for implementation of the West Nile cultural museum at Giligili in Arua City that will be a one-stop center for a rendition of the region’s diverse cultural heritage.
Theresa Egita Erako, a member of the steering committee called it a wake-up call moment for West Nile. She emphasized more investment and less spending on consumption.
“Publicize this message and run more educational programs to enlighten our people. Promote the diaspora convention more in your programs, those little slots in your news items will remind people and make a difference, more especially what we want to do in our communities” she urged.
Ferdinand Lali, on the other hand emphasized the significance of the private sector getting more involved in driving growth and investment in the region.
He underscore that the government has the primary responsibility to carryout development functions, it also has limitations which the private players in the business sphere must fill in.
