Uganda 10/14/2006

The President



We were to fill out an application and apply for a bank charter with the Bank of Uganda. Because of the strong opposition and the tough requirements, we felt there was a good possibility we would still be declined. We insisted on a meeting with President Museveni to present our plan. The General is the younger brother of President Museveni, (these two men led the revolt against Idi Amin) so we knew he could make it happen. We had been promised a meeting with the president everyday since our arrival but it was continually postponed. Finally Saturday, our last day there, we were scheduled to meet with the President at 5:00PM. As we drove past the security check point at the Presidents Headquarters, we all fell silent. How were we to act? What were we going to say? We felt extremely inadequate for the occasion. Once there we had to wait for two more hours - drinking coffee and eating sandwiches we became more at ease. A soldier appeared at the door, gave a salute and motioned us to follow him. He led us to a building, three sides were completely glass. Upon seeing the President I bowed and tried to say “Your Excellency”, it came out somewhat garbled. Gene introduced the team and expressed our desire for a charter to open an Investment Bank and explained how this would help the economy of Uganda. The General described the opposition we had received from the Federal Reserve of Uganda the day before. President Museveni expressed his favor of us to opening the Bank and assured us he would personally override any opposition. Before leaving, Gene handed President Museveni printed copies of prophetic words God had given Vish for both him and the First Lady. Walking out to our vehicles we all felt a sense of relief, “Mission Acomplished!”