The Ugandan Community in North America will converge on 1, September to elect new leaders for their umbrella organisation – Uganda North American Association(UNAA), arguably the oldest diaspora organisation in North America.
Renowned realtor behind the famous Umoja real estate Company, Patrick Ogwang is one of the three candidates vying for the organisation’s presidency.
community.
In his recently released manifesto, Ogwang has promised to spearhead a united front that will turn the page and begin a new chapter in each of our lives
and corporately as UNAA,”
to activate and awaken that seed of greatness which is embedded in every man and woman.”
Mr Ogwanga also lays down his grand plan upon which he appeals to his countrymen and countrywomen to entrust him with a three-year mandate which he says will be used to transform UNAA by building upon what others have done prior.
He promises to establish a Community Investment Plan (C.I.P) through which members would crowdfund to raise funds for development intervention both in the diaspora and back home. As the chairman and founder
of a successful diaspora investment group (Umoja) – A group of 28 members that was founded 11 years ago with the sole aim of empowering each other and leveraging our human capital, Ogwang promises to benchmark on a ts success story for the benefit of the entire community and a wider impact back home. He explains that what started with a $140 monthly contribution by members, has grown into a successful real estate business, among other businesses.
One of the initiatives the group has taken on, Ogwang notes, is offering an alternative to the diaspora, to combat the rampant fraudulent land dealings in Uganda. Umoja offers a land purchasing solution, to anyone in the diaspora who is interested in acquiring legitimately titled land. “When I become president, I will roll out a similar effort through UNAA, to the different local communities and help them set up and operate, using the success formula we used in Texas to create a mastermind alliance.”
A UNAA House is also one of the top pledges of Ogwang’s manifesto. He promises that the first 100 days of his reign will be dedicated towards acquiring a real estate asset for UNAA which he says will double as a head office and income-generating asset for the organization hence setting the organization on a path to financial independence. This, he notes, will also increase the Organisation’s collective bargaining power “by presenting ourselves
as a formidable organized and united front.”
Financial accountability and integrity are also top on the manifesto agenda f Mr Ogwang. He has pledged to ensure that UNAA remains
in good standing with the IRS regulations and policies as a 501(c) 3 public charity
in America and the state of Massachusetts, by implementing a record and better stewardship of all the resources gathered by the organization as its president.
He also promises to improve Service Deliver to keep the organization in compliance with the Law of the Land by ensuring that the bidding process for UNAA contracts is streamlined and very transparent. He castigates as illegal, the tendency for UNAA leaders to award themselves contracts.
Ogwang also commits to organize an annual soccer tournament once elected where group stages will be played at the regional level and the finals played in the hosting city of the convention. This, he argues, will enable UNAA to increase its community
engagement in the diaspora.
Members will also get free diaspora business listings on the UNAA website. Diaspora-based small businesses need a platform and help in advertising and marketing their products according to Ogwang. As president, he intends to be an advocate for all Ugandan-owned small businesses.
To boost INAA’s funding, he intends to put in place specific sponsorship initiatives in consultation with his leadership team in the form of a 15% commission to any UNAA member who brings the organization new
sponsorship.
Free Boat Cruises. Depending on how much the organisation receives in sponsorships, Ogwang commits to organise an annual boat cruise for every member in good standing to enjoy a boat cruise at our conventions exclusively paid for by the institution.
Under the stewardship of Ogwang, UNAA will provide free Immigration consultation for members. To this end, he reveals that he has already agreed with a law firm willing to give UNNA members in good standing free Immigration consultations
“Any dominating desire, plan or purpose which is backed by that state of mind
known as “faith” is taken over by the subconscious section of the mind and acted upon immediately”
Before he is elected to the most coveted office, however, Ogwang must essentially first overcome outgoing UNAA Executive Secretary, Etibot Lambert who boasts of the direct backing of current President, Henrieta Wamala who seeks to prolong her grip on UNAA through a loyal proxie as her Landry two terms come to an end.
To the wider diaspora community, Ogwanga is seen as an astute reformist whose ability to make big decisions is backed to transform UNAA for its very best going forward.
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