Rendezvous with …OMAR KASSIM

Q: How would you introduce Omar Kassim to a stranger?
A: An open minded, open natured person with a charisma more humane than expected. But above all, a man with an iron will and strong determination in whatever he pursues, brilliant and compassionate but volatile to extreme proportions.

Q: What is the role of UCIFA?
A: It is a national body that brings together clearing and forwarding agents in this country and sets guideline for its members in terms of operational matters and other relevant aspects such as tariffs and customer relations. UCIFA also in principle is a lobby organization that manages the affairs of its members with respect to government policies and other stakeholders, especially URA.

Q: Evaluate the relationship between UCIFA and URA, KACITA plus other bodies?
A: UCIFA and URA have a strong partnership and share common objectives hence a wider platform for dialogue. KACITA and other shareholders have representative interests which are normally channeled in partnership with UCIFA’s core interests.

Q: What is the future of the association and what benefits do the members have?
A: The future of the association is very bright and the fact that the regional integration is impacting on the welfare of the business community in East Africa; the scope of the association will certainly be seen in light of that process. Members’ interests drawn across the board will be fronted by the association accordingly.

Q: There is a drive to form an East African Federation but can that be possible since another body UFFA (Uganda Freight Forwarders Association) was formed out of UCIFA?
A: The federation is a welcome move aimed at ironing out differences that might have given root to the splitter association UFFA. After all, the federation will be the umbrella body whose leadership composition may be all encompassing. I believe that is the first step towards a re-unification.

Q: What caused the break away and what differences do both associations have?
A: Both associations exist by their own terms of references and separate constitutions. I have not had the chance to read their constitution. The freedom to associate is a cardinal point behind the splitter but I wouldn’t know the specific reasons.

Q: Is there a way forward to have one association?
A: I know that where there is a will, there is always a way. Personally, I believe that both associations have common objectives and that would be the best way forward. But the idea of a federation would not be a bad idea either.
Q: What was the history of UCIFA before you took over?
A: UCIFA was the Most Vibrant Association in the history of the East African Region. When Gideon Karioko, the former Chairman died, the association went into a limbo until I was elected into office. Today, two years down the line, the association is almost back to its former glory.

Q: Have you organized special plans for the organization?
A: Indeed yes! The A.G.M. was held in December 2006 [at Blue Mango in Bukoto] and a lot of programmes and projects are set to be presented to the members for ratification.

Q: Looking at East Africa’s cargo forwarding industry, which transportation companies would you consider to be the Most Serious plus Efficient and how would you rank them?
A: Most transport companies in East Africa have a track record of experiences, mostly from Mombasa and Dar es Salaam to be under subcontracts with shipping lines and therefore do not have same ratings like P.N.Mashru, Multiple Hauliers, and M.A.Bayusuf.

Q: If I want to register a new company, how do I go about it?
A: The association has all the information and the data necessary for you to set up a new company and recommends you for licensing. However, licensing is done only once a year and is given by URA (at the end of the year).

Omar Kassim is also the Chairman Kawempe Division,Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The UCIFA Secretariat is located at the MTAC Building, Top Floor (Rooms B1 and B2), Nakawa Industrial Area, Kampala, Uganda (East Africa)

Courtesy of Aiko