www.ugandandiaspora.com/nasa%E2%80%99s-first-black-mission-control-flight-director-is-ugandan
Kwatsi Alibaruho, the first African-American to lead Mission Control at NASA will be among the entrepreneurs, diplomats, tourists, academicians, philanthropists, and agents of technology transfer who will be honored this year during The Ugandan Diaspora Social Networking Event.
The first African-American to lead Mission Control is working shifts as a flight director for the International Space Station. Kwatsi Alibaruho completed more than 700 hours of training and began active duty in August.
Since the beginning of America’s space program,only 58 people have directed human space flight missions. The flight director class of 2005 is the second largest ever appointed and the most diverse.
The nine-member group also includes three women and two Hispanics.
Leading a team of flight controllers, support personnel and engineering experts, a flight director has the overall responsibility to manage and carry out space shuttle flights and International Space Station expeditions. A flight director also leads and orchestrates planning and integration activities with flight controllers, payload customers, space station partners and others.
“I’m humbled and honored to serve in the capacity of flight director,” said Alibaruho,who spent his childhoodin Oakland, Calif., and Atlanta. “I love the diversity of challenges inspace exploration and in mission operations,” he added. Alibaruho’s father, economist Dr.George Alibaruho, is from Uganda, while his mother, Dr. Gloria Alibaruho, is from Macon, Ga. Several of his siblings also were born in Uganda….
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Press Release: Celebrating Ugandans in the Diaspora ~ The Ugandan Diaspora Social Networking Event 2011 ~ 29th, December 2011
On December 29th, 2011, and for the very first time in our Country’s history, the immense contribution to the Pearl of Africa from those Ugandans living outside The Motherland will be officially recognized. The Uganda Investment Authority, the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ugandans in the Diaspora, will celebrate together in the first ever Ugandan Diaspora Social Networking Event.
Interacting at the event will be Ugandans who have settled all over the world; and their compatriots who live at home. Experiences between the two groups will not be limited to any specific theme – but with the recognition that remittances from abroad are the second largest source of financial resources to Uganda. This constituency is also a major contributor to diaspora tourism and real estate developments in and around Kampala.
According to the New Vision newspaper, an August 2010 report indicates that in 2008, remittences amounted to about $ 723 m [approx. 5% of Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP)].
In addition to this, Ugandans in the Diaspora are entrepreneurs, diplomats, tourists, academicians, agents of technology transfer and also, philanthropists. In this way, the Diaspora Social Networking Event will celebrate the Ugandan expatriate workforce as a theme by bringing their expertise, ideas and talent to a formal forum where an evening of entertainment will envelop the award ceremony. Social Media and live video streaming will ensure that those who cannot make it from the Diaspora are present in both body and soul.
The entertainment will feature some of Uganda’s best Fashion designers living in the Diaspora, Models and entertainment groups – Local artistes like Isaiah Katumwa, Nick Nola, Charlie King, Terry Devos, Perfect Generation, Michael Ross, Swahili Nation as well as Diaspora artists like Zani and Pssozi will be in attendance. Steve Jean’s Fenon Entertainment – will provide the quintessential backdrop at the Serena Hotel’s Victoria Hall.
This event is slated for December 29, 2011 at the Serena Hotel in Kampala.
Tickets will be on sale to the general public for 60,000/=.
Give us a call at these Numbers if you are in Uganda: 0773212007 or 0703999898 and at 703 380 9468 if you are in the Diaspora. Email Contact: info@ugandandiaspora.com
Patron
Dr. Maggie Kigozi,
Former Executive Director, Uganda Investment Authority
Government Liaison
Bati Kawooya,
Head of the Diaspora Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Event Planner
Ronnie Mayanja
Uganda Diaspora Incorporated
Media Manager: Solomon W. Jagwe
Coordinator and Uganda Liaison: Doris Miti
The Ugandan Diaspora Event is held in proud association with:
The Uganda Investment Authority | The Diaspora Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
National Housing and Construction Corporation | DFCU Bank | Tullow Oil
Housing Finance | Orange Telecom | Ethiopian Airlines | Serena Hotel
Fenon Entertainment | Dahabshill | Uganda Air Cargo | Serene Suites
Woodstone Developments | Centenary Bank