By Spy Uganda
Nakawa: It was pomp and glamour on Friday evening as Uganda’s leading car importer YUASA gave an amazing farewell to the outgoing Turkish Ambassador Fikret Kerem ALP whose tenure ended this year after four years of service.
Speaking about his friend, YUASA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hasham AR Wahaib hailed Ambassador Kerem for loving humanity through which he has supported YUASA’s various charity campaigns in Uganda.
”YUASA in partnership with the Ambassador of Turkey has been able to successfully make several charity campaigns and trust me without Ambassador Kerem’s efforts may we wouldn’t have been successful,” said Mr Hasham.
Mr Hasham further commended Ambassador Kerem for his patriotism to Uganda which has seen him attract hundreds of Turkish investors to come to invest in Uganda hence supporting the country’s economic growth.
”In a special way I want to thank Ambassador Kerem for loving this nation, in his tenure, he has managed to publicize Uganda’s investment opportunities in Turkey and we have seen very many investors coming here to develop this country economically, we can’t thank you enough sir,” added Mr Hasham.
On his part, Kerem described his eventful four-year tour in Uganda as largely successful.
Turning to trade, the envoy said has spearheaded Uganda’s major diplomatic and business drive that has seen exports to Turkey increase by 418% in 2021 and 10% Turkish exports to Uganda.
He noted that relations between the two brotherly countries have gained momentum in all fields and the trade volume has increased to $71 million in 2021, from $63 million in 2020.
“I carried out my duties with genuine love and affection for this beautiful country of Uganda and its beautiful people. I also carried out my duties with pride as the representative of Turkey. I end my tenure with love and pride, and in peace,” said Kerem.
He said while in Uganda, the Embassy has been able to construct schools for some undeveloped communities, supported over 400 orphanage children, supported hundred of Ugandans during COVID-19 hardships, and donated bicycles and motorcycles to health workers during COVID-19 lockdown, among many other ubuntu activities.
He added that Turkey’s state-run development agencies like the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) have contributed immensely to supporting the Embassy’s above-mentioned activities.
He concluded by thanking the YUASA management for honoring his stay in Uganda and rallied all Ugandans and those hoping to come to Uganda to trust YUASA’s unique services that are rare from other car dealing companies.
The event was honored by former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Minister of Foreign Affairs J.J Odongo, and Minister of State Privatization and Investment Evelyn Anite among other business, government, and private officials.
Pictorial Of YUASA Bidding Farewell Party To Ambassador Kerem 
