My fellow Ugandans in North America and beyond, I greet you all!
Let me take this opportunity to express how I am profoundly grateful for the strong support I received in the last concluded elections. I am humbled and honored that you placed your confidence, trust, and support in me as the next Vice President of the Uganda North America Association. I feel blessed as I begin this new era, and I promise you that I will always endeavor to reflect the utmost compassion, honesty, and integrity.
I am immensely grateful to my family, friends, and supporters who generously contributed their time and effort to my campaigns. Special thanks to my mother, Ms. Caroline Ikuze Bavuga, and Aunt Catherine Mukanyarwaya, who dedicated a month of special prayers for me. To my sons Norman and Michael, thank you for understanding, supporting, and tolerating my late-night calls and weekly travels. My girls Godwill, Godlive, Lillian, aka Prima, and Rosette, I can never thank you enough for always being there for me. Let me also take this opportunity to thank Madam President Ms. Henrietta Nairuba Wamala, who took a chance with me and listened to me nine months ago when I called her and expressed my intentions of being her running mate. Madam President, thank you, and I promise to work with you to the best of my ability to see a unified UNAA moving forward to a big and better association.
Today, as your Vice President, I promise I will make it a point to reach out to all these local chapters to see how we can meet our mutual interests as we advocate for our association. I will promote freedom of choice and encourage respectfulness. Let us focus on the common grounds and need to cultivate the Ugandan brother/sisterhood that binds us. To those who still feel that they do not know me, please get to know me. My number is out there, and I welcome any concerns. We are in this together, and we must work together. To my brothers Albert Bakasara and Mpima Mugambe, yes, we run against each other but let’s not forget the talks we heard each time we met. This is the time to keep our word! I thank both of you for giving me a chance to get to know you and share great ideas.
Once again, I am honored by the trust you have seen fit to place in me as your VP elect. I intend to carry out the office of Vice President in such a way that those who voted or did not vote for me will take pride in having me as the Vice President.
I can’t wait to get to work with you for those elected or re-elected and those who did not go through. The truth is you don’t only have to be in leadership to serve in UNAA. You all have great ideas that are beneficial to UNAA members. Please let’s work together!
Your vote showed that you trust me to be your voice, and I cannot thank you enough for the confidence that you have shown in me. I promise to lead UNAA to greater heights and accomplish all that I have set out to do, especially to promote the social, cultural, and economic development of the Ugandan Community in North America and beyond. I promise not to take this position lightly, and I fully understand the responsibilities you have bestowed upon me.
The news of winning this election was a dream come true for me. I didn’t know I would win by this large margin, and all this would have never been possible without your sincere trust in me. The large margin win symbolizes the togetherness, faith, and sincerity that we share. I am forever indebted for the love and wishes I have received. This win truly feels like a dream, but I want to assure you that I am ready to move mountains and take up every kind of responsibility that comes my way.
The essence of outstanding leadership is influencing, not authority. I look forward to working with you as a team to advance issues of importance to our community.
Thank you again. You spoke through your vote and spoke decisively. So let me speak decisively in return. Urakoze cyane!
Yours sincerely,
Joan Bavuga
Vice President UNAA
