STATE HOUSE, ENTEBBE: The Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF), Asia’s most influential leadership platform has honoured President Yoweri Museveni with a Statesman Award in recognition of his achievements and contributions to the economic, political and cultural developments in Uganda.

“It is with great happiness that I write to you with the news that the ABLF Executive Council and Grand Jury would like to honour you with the ABLF Statesperson Award - the highest award category of the platform in recognition of your incredible achievements and contributions to the economic, political and cultural development of Uganda,” said Ms. Malini N. Menon Co-Founder and President, ABLF and Permanent Member, ABLF Executive Council in a letter to President Museveni.

The ABLF Awards is the recognition platform of the ABLF Series that has promoted the values of integrity, excellence, commitment and innovation in leadership. In 2022, the Awards, themed ‘Resilience Rising: The Great Reset’, aim to recognise the spirit of resilience, a defining narrative in the post-pandemic world, across all the distinctive ABLF Award Categories. 

“Your Excellency, your commitment to the cause of pan-African unity, focus on healthcare and education, and vision for sustainable development has put Uganda on the path of growth for the past several decades. The prestigious ABLF Statesperson Award is in recognition of your achievements,” Ms. Malini N. Menon said.

The Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Hon. Matia Kasaija and the Government Chief Whip Hon. Thomas Tayebwa picked the award on behalf of the President.

“It was so gratifying to see our head of state being chosen by the Asian Business Leaders Forum in UAE to be the first statesman outside Asia to receive this prestigious award. The kind comments towards his precious contribution on the transformation of Africa by business leaders at the event made me feel proud as a Ugandan,” Hon. Thomas Tayebwa the government Chief Whip who received the award alongside the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija on behalf of President Museveni said during the ceremony at the on-going Dubai Expo. 

According to Hon. Tayebwa, the business community at the expo was eager to exploit business and investment opportunities in Uganda due to the Countries stability and visionary leadership. “Uganda now is their number one choice of FID in Africa thanks to the stable leadership of H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” he said.

The President was awarded alongside Asian global leaders including former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, H.E. Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, among other leaders who were honoured by H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan. The guest of Honour was H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, Emirates Group 

Established in 2007, the ABLF has always engaged with luminaries in the field of business, politics, academia and social change through its various initiatives that aim to foster intra-Asia ties. During the past two years of the pandemic, the ABLF, through its groundbreaking monthly leadership series titled ‘ABLF Talks’ that aligned closely with the vision of the UAE leadership continued to engage with global leaders bringing them together in conversations and collaborations, thus showcasing the nation as a symbol of hope and resilience in these uncertain times.

The ABLF Awards are always held under the patronage and in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan and in association with the UAE Ministry of Economy. 

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