The UNAA HISTORY
Something that started as a Thanksgiving dinner for a number of families in Atlanta blossomed into what is now celebrated annually as the Ugandan North American Association Convention.
UNAA BRINGS UGANDANS TOGETHER FROM THE WORLD OVER. THEY COME FROM UGANDA, EUROPE, CANADA AND THE AMERICAS
The history of the Ugandan North American Association began in Atlanta, GA, when two sisters, Mrs. Becky Tumusuza Matovu and Mrs. Julie Tamusuza Simbwa, approached several leaders of the various local Ugandan communities and proposed a community-wide celebration during the American Thanksgiving holiday that happens to be celebrated in September of each year.
The community leaders embraced the idea and decided to expand the event to cover the whole weekend and invite other Ugandans from throughout North America. Although a formal organization was not officially registered until two years later, this weekend in Georgia became the first of what was to eventually become the an annual convention. It is estimated that about 200 people attended that first gathering.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS:
The small group that spearheaded the event essentially became the founding members of the
organization and comprised of the two sisters, Becky Matovu and Julie Simbwa, Drs. Frank and Sarah Matovu, Mr. Ssali Luwemba and Mr. Sam Kiggwe.
Excited by what they had witness in Georgia, several Ugandans from Los Angeles committed to host a similar event the following year. However, this did not occur and members of the Ugandan community in Dallas, TX, offered to host it the following year. The event in Dallas was organized as a formal convention right from the beginning and eventually attracted about 500 participants from throughout North America and the Diapsora. The theme of the convention was “Survival in North America” and featured forums aimed at helping Ugandans in North America survive and thrive in their adoptive new homes.
DALLAS - TEXAS CONVENTION:
It was during this convention in Dallas that the first formal constitution for a Ugandan organization in
North America was first presented for debate and consideration. It was called the Ugandan American Community (UAC) and to provide some guidelines for subsequent operations, an interim constitution was adopted with a 9-member Board of Directors.
The following year, a convention was hosted by the Ugandan community in Boston, MA, and it was here that the Uganda Government first became more actively involved in UNAA conventions with the then First Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Eriya Kategeya presenting the key note speech.
The subsequent year the convention was hosted by the New York / New Jersey community and featured world-renown social anthropologist Dr. Ali Mazrui as the key note speaker.
CINCINNATI - OHIO CONVENTION:
The following convention was held in Cincinnati, OH, and featured for the first time a boat cruise that
became a very popular mainstay of many subsequent conventions. The theme of the convention was "Uganda's Opportunities in the New World Order." The Key Note Speaker was then Uganda’s Vice President Dr. Samson Kisekka who appealed to delegates not to forget where they came from. The interim constitution was formally approved and adopted with Mr. David Mureeba from Texas as its first Chairman and Chief Executive. In recognition of his leadership and valuable guidance during the organization's infancy, Mr. Ssali Luwemba from Georgia was formally recognized as the organization’s first Chairman. The organization’s name was also changed to what it is today – the Ugandan North American Association.
LOS ANGELES - CALIFORNIA CONVENTION
The convention was held the next year in Los Angeles and themed as “An Economic Summit.” The Government of Uganda was again well represented with the Key Note Speech being given by the Minister of Agriculture, Mrs. Victoria Ssekitoleko. The convention featured a very large contingent of business people from Uganda and attracted well over 1,000 delegates for the first 4-day convention.
Over the years, UNAA has changed as appropriate to meet and accommodate challenges it has faced along the way. Of particular note were challenges from competing organizations that broke away from UNAA and staged competing conventions for a few years. Other challenges included attempts to politicize the organization and disagreements that developed along tribal lines. Youth members also brought their needs to the forefront during the convention in Washington DC.
However, the last UNAA convention in Washington DC solidified UNAA's position as the premier umbrella organization in the North American Ugandan community. A new constitution was approved that significantly revamped the organization’s administrative structure and gave representation to more communities throughout North America.
VENUES FOR PAST CONVENTIONS
- 1995 - Chicago, IL
- 1996 - Toronto, Canada (first time convention held outside of USA)
- 1997 - Washington, DC (Key Note Speech by US Congressman Donald Payne
- 1998 - Houston, TX (Key Note Speech by US Congresswoman Shiella Jackson Lee
- 1999 - Atlanta, GA (Key Note Speech by Uganda Prime Minister Dr. Apolo Nsibambi)
- 2000 - Kampala, Uganda (Key Note Speech by HE President Museveni)
- 2001 - Detroit, MI (competed against 2 other conventions held at the same time)
- 2002 - Las Vegas, NV (Key Note Addresses given by panel of speakers)
- 2003 - Boston, MA
- 2004 - Seattle, WA (Key Note Speech given by HE President Museveni)
- 2005 - Minneapolis, MN (Key Note Speech by US Ambassador to Uganda Kimmy Kolker)
- 2006 - New York, NY (Key Note Speech by Dr. Ali Mazrui)
- 2007 - San Francisco, CA (Key Note Speech by Uganda Vice President Gilbert Bukenya)
- 2008 - Orlando, FL (Joint Key Note Speech by former UNAA Presidents)
- 2009 - Chicago, IL (Key Note Speech by US Senator Roland Burris - not delivered)
- 2010 - Washington, DC (Key Note Speech by HRH The Nabagereka of Buganda – not delivered
WAY FORWARD
Looking forward, UNAA leadership continues to build on lessons learned over the years to provide valuable services to Ugandans throughout North America. The next convention is slated for Denver, CO, and has as its theme, “Development Opportunities through Networking.” In keeping with recent experiences, it is sure to be a stunning success.
Outside of the annual convention, UNAA leadership is putting in place other social programs including a health awareness commission, an insurance commission, an immigration legal fund, a business promotion commission and is looking at a cultural promotion commission.
