Uganda 10/11/2006 - 10/13/2006
Our route from Rwanda to Uganda was beautiful as we flew over Lake Victoria. Once off the plane we were met by government officials who took our passports and quickly whisked us by long immigration line to the VIP lounge. It was good to see the familiar faces of David Kandole, Dave Yarnes and Matt Swanson. In Ugandan tradition, we had a photo session with our government escort, Col. Charles Angina, Seiko (a high military official) and Mrs. Toni Bamwesigye the Director of The association for Widows and Orphans. Two government vehicles waited to drive us to our hotel situated just below the President’s mansion.
Here is the team pictured with our government escorts.
That evening we had an informal dinner with General Caleb Akandwanaho- Salim Saleh (Rtd) who is also the Minister of Finance of Uganda. Tall and lanky, considered a rebel by bureaucrats, we later realized this man is our key contact to do business in Uganda. The following day we met formally with the General and the Minister of Micro Financing to present our plan to open two charter banks, one for investment banking and the other for micro financing. Yarnes showed a very informative power point. The General was extremely receptive and indicated our arrival was an answer to one of his five requests to “god” therefore we needed to present to the next level, the Bank of Uganda.
The following day we had lunch on the top floor of the Federal Reserve Office. We were all fighting intimidation; the building was surrounded by tight security, the very atmosphere seemed threatening and unbending. Our official meeting was with the “Governor” who is the head of the Federal Reserve (the “Alan Greenspan” of Uganda). We presented our request for the two charters, explaining how Uganda’s biggest need is affordable capital to empower economic growth and our desire to help. Immediately we were met with severe opposition, this was followed by a heated debate between the Governor and General with Yarnes and Gene adding periodically. The General, with his witty sense of humor, occasionally broke the tension. It seemed we were against the wall. Then the General suggested Yarnes show his power point to the Governor in the adjoining room.
Yarnes was extremely reluctant, he felt this was suicide. Several of us joined together and discreetly prayed. We felt Yarnes should give it his best and let the rest up to God. We were lead down a long hall, double doors swung open; they ushered us into an imposing board room where 40 members of the Federal Reserve Board sat at a round table, a microphone at each seat. They had quickly shut the offices down for this impromptu meeting! Yarnes did a great job presenting in an extremely hostile environment the rest of the team were interceding. There was more discussion; suddenly we felt the majority of the board swing to our side. Apart from some legalities, the meeting triumphantly ended with a promise of a charter! Praise God!
Here we are in the board room.
This is the General
David Yarnes giving the presentation.
Here is the team pictured with our government escorts.
That evening we had an informal dinner with General Caleb Akandwanaho- Salim Saleh (Rtd) who is also the Minister of Finance of Uganda. Tall and lanky, considered a rebel by bureaucrats, we later realized this man is our key contact to do business in Uganda. The following day we met formally with the General and the Minister of Micro Financing to present our plan to open two charter banks, one for investment banking and the other for micro financing. Yarnes showed a very informative power point. The General was extremely receptive and indicated our arrival was an answer to one of his five requests to “god” therefore we needed to present to the next level, the Bank of Uganda.
The following day we had lunch on the top floor of the Federal Reserve Office. We were all fighting intimidation; the building was surrounded by tight security, the very atmosphere seemed threatening and unbending. Our official meeting was with the “Governor” who is the head of the Federal Reserve (the “Alan Greenspan” of Uganda). We presented our request for the two charters, explaining how Uganda’s biggest need is affordable capital to empower economic growth and our desire to help. Immediately we were met with severe opposition, this was followed by a heated debate between the Governor and General with Yarnes and Gene adding periodically. The General, with his witty sense of humor, occasionally broke the tension. It seemed we were against the wall. Then the General suggested Yarnes show his power point to the Governor in the adjoining room.
Yarnes was extremely reluctant, he felt this was suicide. Several of us joined together and discreetly prayed. We felt Yarnes should give it his best and let the rest up to God. We were lead down a long hall, double doors swung open; they ushered us into an imposing board room where 40 members of the Federal Reserve Board sat at a round table, a microphone at each seat. They had quickly shut the offices down for this impromptu meeting! Yarnes did a great job presenting in an extremely hostile environment the rest of the team were interceding. There was more discussion; suddenly we felt the majority of the board swing to our side. Apart from some legalities, the meeting triumphantly ended with a promise of a charter! Praise God!
Here we are in the board room.
This is the General
David Yarnes giving the presentation.
posted by posebyselena | 11:40 AM
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