Johnson Mujungu
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:01:20 -0800
BANYAKIGEZI IN DIASPORA TO LAUNCH HOME CHAPTER
Wednesday, 16th December, 2009
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Kabale farmers being sensitised about tea growing. ICOB aims at promoting the
economic wellbeing of members
By Joshua Kato
THE International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) will launch a Uganda Chapter,
during their ICOB convention to be held in Kabale between December 27 and 29.
ICOB was formed in 2003 to promote language, culture and socio-economic
development of the Banyakigezi.
Athanasius Rutarroh, the ICOB coordinator, says: “Because of varying reasons,
more than 50% of the Banyakigezi live outside Kigezi region. Therefore, once
ICOB is formed, it will protect and promote the culture of the Banyakigezi and
contribute to the economic wellbeing of the region.”
The districts in Kigezi region include Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro and Rukungiri.
At the moment, the organisation has three chapters: the US, Canada and UK
Chapters.
“In July 2003, the first ICOB annual convention was held in Toronto, Canada,”
says Rutaroh. Subsequently, annual conventions have been held in London,
Toronto, Denver, New York and Las Vegas. Rutaroh says in October 2009, a
meeting was held in Kampala which resolved to form a Uganda Chapter.
“This convention is special because it will also act as home coming for the
organisation,” he says.
Rutaroh says during their annual conventions, they network, fundraise and plan
for the future of the organisation.
“The main activity of ICOB has been the Kigezi Education Fund, which has so far
financed an ICT centre at Rukungiri Technical Institute and a centre for
excellence in electrical and plumbing at Nyakatare Technical Institute in
Kanungu district,” he says.
He explains that more projects are being planned for in Kisoro and Kabale
districts.
Rutaroh says there will be a number of activities at the Kabale convention.
These include keynote addresses by prominent personalities and discussions of a
topic ‘Development Challenges and Opportunities of Banyakigezi’.
Presentations will also come from fields of education, science and technology,
health, demography, tourism, business and entrepreneurship, microfinance and
rural development.
Rutaroh says registration for the convention is going on.
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Johnson
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"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet" Gandhi
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