As Non-Profit Organization, the Ugandan North American Association is restricted from engaging in any form of political campaign as per IRS governing rules and regulations The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov). And with that, we CANNOT commit the organization in supporting any political candidate or campaign. We CAN however speak on matters that are of concern such as Human Rights abuse as we did in the statement, issued on 11/18/2020 where we strongly condemned and discouraged the acts of violence, lawlessness and acts of impunity by police officers. There has been more of these acts even after elections and we continue to call upon the Ugandan Government to put a stop to these violent acts and also bring to justice those that are involved in these acts of impunity.
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The UNAA Membership comprises of Members that support the different Political parties in Uganda, some in support of the current administration and others in support of the opposing parties. UNAA’s Leadership remains objective in order to serve best her members by engaging the Policy makers and those that govern the entities where change is most needed. Releasing of Statements after every tragic event especially with matters of Human rights abuse and police brutality, hasn’t been as effective as desired and some of these acts have continued to prevail post Elections.
But in all that has been written and conversed, Hope prevails and there’s reason to be grateful and strengthened. We came together as a community displaying the spirit of Ubuntu when needed most especially when we lost our community members to diseases, accidents and especially during the Pandemic, when folks were stuck here in the US and couldn’t fly back to Uganda, when people lost jobs and couldn’t afford meals. UNAA worked with Community Leaders around North America, helping those communities that submitted relief fund applications through the COVID Relief fund distribution.
As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic of disease and an epidemic of ignorance, I urge you to choose to Celebrate science. Preach science. Teach science. And support science and let’s overcome the negativity that comes with the propaganda to stop the fight of the disease and keep us healthy. Some people have given testimonies that this pandemic brought them closer as families and that they were able to stay home with their loved ones and enjoy quieter times with family.
Online platforms such as Zoom became the norm and new modus operandi by many entities and UNAA was not left out, having held our first Online Convention, which was viewed by over 60K people around the world and also built long term partnerships with current and future partners. Kudos to the UNAA Leadership on this milestone.
Here are some of the achievements that my Administration has achieved as it transforms UNAA into a Progressive Service Driven Membership Organization through Rebranding and Revitalizing UNAA even with the hurdle of the COVID-19 pandemic;
