PM speech at charity musical night - Office of the Prime Minister

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDARemarksByRt Hon Amama Mbabazi, SC, MPThe Prime Minister of the Republic of UgandaOn the occasion ofMusical Nite to Raise Funds for CharityatWonder World, KampalaOn26 th November 2011at19.00hrsYour ExcellencyThe High Commissioner of India to Uganda

Trustees, Chairman of Tamil SangamMembers of Tamil SangamInvited GuestsLadies and GentlemenIt is a great privilege for me to be here on the occasion of theMusical Nite to fund raise for charitable purposes in Uganda.Uganda and India share a historic brotherhood because boththe countries were under British colonial rule. India derivedindependence in 1947 from the British rule whereas Ugandasecured Independence in 1962. However, since independenceIndia has made considerable progress in economicdevelopment and is currently considered as one of the fastestgrowing economies of the World.The small scale sector in India contributes more than 35% ofthe countrys GDP and this is where Uganda can learn fromIndia its elder sister. Indias foreign exchange reserves havecrossed US$ 400 billion, and probably ranked among the topthree in the World in terms of forex reserves.Tamil Sangam was formed in 2005 as a nonprofit making bodywith the primary objective of promoting cultural ties betweenUganda and India and bringing the people of South Indiatogether with the Ugandans.1

Its members comprise the Tamil speaking residents from theSouth India. It was formed with the basic idea of gettingindividuals residing in Uganda together for a common cause.One of its main objectives was to mobilize funds for charitableactivities to assist the less fortunate Ugandans in our Societyand to promote unity, solidarity and cultural ties between thetwo nations. During the past years, the Tamil Sangam hasprovided substantial funding to organizations like UWESO,Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa), providing hygienic andother facilities to various school like Kamwokya PrimarySchool, Kansanga Primary School, etc to promote education,support to various Orphanages and other charitableorganisations within Uganda. In addition Tamil Sangam wasalso one of the first organizations to provide support to thevictims of the flood in Northern Uganda. In fact, Tamil Sangamhas always been in the forefront of assisting victims of variousnatural calamities. I am privileged to be the Chief Guest at thisvery function held to support the cause of the disabled and lessfortunate.The NRM Government introduced a Ministry for the personswith disabilities but without the additional efforts of privatecharitable people of good heart, we may not be able to meetthe challenges. I thank Tamil Sangam for this wonderfulgesture. I would urge the other Community members of our2

Country to emulate the example set by Tamil Sangam inassisting the less privileged members of our Society.Of all the various activities like organizing get-to gathers,celebrating festivals etc., the Tamil Sangam also provides aplatform for the budding young artists to exhibit their talents insports, both indoors as well as outdoors, athletics, arts, musicand dance.At present its members number more than five hundred. Froma young chrysalis the Tamil Sangam has blossomed into abeautiful butterfly without even having a proper home i.e. apiece of land- to spread its wings to gain internationalrecognition. It is indeed a great feat and achievement for theTamil Sangam to have earned this and very rightly deserves 3 cheers, well done Tamil Sangam - keep it up.Congratulations to Tamil Sangam.Thank you.3