KAMPALA — A team of journalists from Forbes, an American business magazine has jetted in the country to profile and publish Uganda’s economic gains over a couple of years and economic strides achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Forbes team was ushered in by the East African Partners (EAP), a company that markets East Africa as a leading investment destination on the continent.
Mr. Isaac Kigozi, EAP Managing Director told this website that the Forbes Team is in the country for a second time following a February engagement President Museveni.
He said they so met several other government officials in February, 2020 before the country went into COVID-19 lockdown.
“The team is here to continue with the production of “Uganda; The Pearl of Africa” report for Forbes Africa under the theme: ‘Africa: Undiscovered Series’,” Mr. Kigozi said, nothing that, this special report [by Forbes] promotes investment opportunities in Uganda in order to forge bilateral relations with the country to the rest of the world.
Kigozi added that the Forbes Team will continue to meet with government officials including ministers and permanent secretaries as well as members of the private sector.
For example, he said the team will be interviewing the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Amelia Kyambadde, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the King of Toro, Oyo Nyimba and the King of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope among others.
He told this website that the team has already interviewed the Executive Director Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Gideon Badagawa, the CEO Ham Entreprises, Hamis Kiggundu, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Amb. Abbey Walusimbi among others.
Forbes Editor in Chief, Scott Rose said the Magazine management was attracted by Uganda’s steady economic growth that has been registered in the recent past.
Scott added that Uganda’s GDP growth was 5.3% in 2018 up from 5% in 2017, with projected growth set to 2020 (5.7%).
“The government has launched strong investments in public infrastructure which has contributed to the boosting of the job market and foster growth. As a result, the industry and services sectors grew considerably and agriculture continues to provide a reliable contribution to the country’s GDP,” Scott noted.
In their earlier interaction in February, President Museveni assured the team that Uganda’s economic future is brighter.
“The future is brighter, we have to engage in production in the sectors of commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT,” Museveni informed the Forbes Team.
Forbes magazine publishes eight times a year featuring original articles on finance, industry, investing and marketing topics.