Ugandans eye businesses in Somalia

Monday, 12th September, 2011	E-mail article   Print article
By John Semakula THE business community in Uganda received the news of AMISOM’s recent victory against the al-Shabaab militants in Mogadishu with a smile of hope. The community had long wanted to venture into Somalia but the insecurity in the country had hindered it. When news emerged that the AU peacekeepers had secured 90% of Mogadishu from the militants, managers of various companies in Uganda started drawing business plans for Somalia. Uganda’s private security firms and the Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB) are among local enterprises eyeing the country. Daniel Karibwije, the UEPB spokesperson, said: “We shall definitely target Somalia in our export promotion business when the country stabilises.” Moses Matsiko of Pinnacle Security Company said Somalia was the firm’s next destination. “We shall eventually go to Somalia but after being assured of security,” he said. Balagadde Kiggunddu of Dreshak Security Solutions said when the company is sure of the security for its recruits, it will venture into Somalia. He noted that in Iraq and Afghanistan where the firm usually sends its recruits, there are bunkers and demarcated zones where the recruits can hide in case of an attack. Thousands of Ugandans have gone to work as security guards in Iraq and Afghanistan, a move that has reduced unemployment and boosted the country’s foreign revenues. AMISOM spokesperson Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda said there were many opportunities in Somalia which Ugandans can exploit. Since Uganda is an agricultural country, it could export food to the famine-stricken Somalia, he said. Currently, the business between the two countries is one sided. Somalis flock to Uganda to carry out business but Ugandans cannot venture into Somalia because of the insecurity.