So, what promises to be a perpetually tardy convention, got off to a timely start at the Young professionals mixer. This event was not even on the original schedule. We saw the big Kensington sign, and what looked like a happy hour set up and were wondering what as going on… When the fabulous youth rep for UNAA, Batenga, invited us in. With a shiney new schedule for us even! A much better, much clearer schedule, thank God. We met some wonderful innovative young Ugandan entreprenuers including the publisher of Buzz magazine. A publication aimed directly at Ugandan high school kids. According to Julius Kyazze, the Creative Director, it is the best selling magazine in Uganda. Distributed straight through schools it has found a market and is leveraging that to expand. The shiney new venture for this enterprising young man is Floss magazine aimed at collage age Ugandans. We wish him continued success with his business!

Once the program started it was clear that this Young Professionals mixer had brought in some heavy hitters. Maggie Kigozi head of the Ugandan Investment Authority, Steven Kaboyo, Deputy Director of Financial Markets with the Central Bank of Uganda, Timothy Gaburungyi, IT Project Manager, New Builds and Transitions for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, newly returned Diasporan Nakku Senkeeto, General Manager for Kensington-Africa, and Simon Rutega Chief Executive with the Ugandan Securities Exchange, Limited…

All with a message to these young people that they can soar and succeed anywhere they choose. Whether at home in Uganda or (if they choose) at a home away from home in the west; their success is the success of Uganda. Focus on work and giving back from where ever you land was the ringing theme of the evening. Take listen to some of the great words these successful Diasporans and former Diasporans had to share.

Make sure and turn the sound all the way up AND also apologies for the sound… we have alot of technology here at Project Diaspora but they are often multi-taskers… and you know what they say about Jacks of all Trade! We are also picking up in the middle of Simon Rutega’s talk as I was a bit tardy on pushing the record button… Apologies to all on that.

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