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By Godfrey Olukya 4-10-2012
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has today launched the queen Elizabeth (of Britain) diamond jubilee trust-Uganda chapter with a maiden contribution of 100 million shillings (equivalent of 40,000 US dollars) and a call to all Ugandans to contribute willingly to the fund since it benefits the nation and recognizes the contribution of Queen Elizabeth work to humanity.
The launch was held at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala.
The Trust gives governments and citizens across the Commonwealth the opportunity to create a lasting tribute to her majesty the Queen. The Trust will invest in six areas that reflect six decades of the Queens reign including Young Diamonds (Youth), Urban food, Disability to Capability, Heritage and Culture, Exceptional Leaders and Care with Dignity.
“I am happy to be here to launch the diamond trust remembering the 60 years the queen has been leading us in the Commonwealth. Her Majesty has done a lot of work in all these years not only for United Kingdom but also the Commonwealth which has had a lot of transformation,” Museveni said.
The President explained that it is during her Majesty’s reign that many countries were able to get independence the first being Ghana…the time that the cold war between east and the west erupted and that all this time her Majesty offered leadership that shepherd the Commonwealth countries through all those tricky times.
He added many people have a wrong perception about charity being burdensome but explained that small contributions, cumulatively make a
big impact.
“There will be no coercion but simply active reminders to contributors,” he said.
The Chairperson of the trust Dr. Martin Aliker who was tasked with the collecting and safe keeping of the trust funds appealed to government not to tax the funds and called on well-wishers to contribute towards the Trust
According to Dr. Aliker contributors range from individuals, institutions, departments of agencies, non government organizations and companies among others.
In 2011, the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Australia announced the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust aimed at celebrating HM The Queen’s enormous contribution and unswerving dedication to the Commonwealth over the course of her 60 year reign.
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