By Brian Mugenyi
KAMPALA — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading a landmark initiative to transform Uganda’s approach to its citizens living abroad. Through a proposed Diaspora Support and Engagement Policy, the government aims to establish a structured, coordinated framework that moves beyond viewing overseas Ugandans solely as financial contributors, repositioning them as critical drivers of national development, trade, and economic transformation.
Speaking during the National Validation Workshop for Uganda’s Diaspora Support and Engagement Policy at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on Thursday, Ambassador Johnny Muhindo, head of the Diaspora Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed that the policy framework has been under rigorous development for nearly two years.
The workshop gathered a broad coalition of government officials, development partners, diplomatic representatives, and diaspora leaders to review the draft before it advances through the necessary legislative and administrative channels for final approval.
Ambassador Muhindo emphasized that the ministry conducted extensive global consultations—including interactive virtual town halls and bilateral discussions—to ensure the lived experiences and primary concerns of Ugandans across the globe are reflected in the final policy.
“This policy concerns and affects diaspora people directly. They must feel that it brings them closer to their country, and we are working tirelessly toward a unified diaspora community,” Muhindo told participants. “We started drafting this policy some two years ago, and here we are about to reach the end of the consultative process. Thank you all for your sustained support.”
A central theme of the proposed policy is shifting the public and institutional narrative surrounding citizens abroad. Rather than viewing overseas communities purely through the lens of individual money transfers, the ministry intends to integrate their skills and financial resources into structured economic channels.
“We want to make the diaspora community an enterprise,” Muhindo asserted.
The policy framework aims to link Ugandans abroad with strategic opportunities across priority sectors, including education, technology, agriculture, tourism, and real estate. It seeks to incentivize direct investment, facilitate bilateral knowledge transfer, and establish institutional partnerships between overseas professionals and local Ugandan entities.
Highlighting the power of international networks, Muhindo noted that established Ugandan entrepreneurs abroad can serve as commercial ambassadors, opening global market access for domestic businesses and attracting foreign investors.
During workshop discussions, delegates noted that annual diaspora remittances have expanded significantly, with figures cited showing a rise from approximately $1.2 billion to $3 billion in recent years. However, stakeholders stressed that the draft policy must address both economic opportunity and the personal security of migrant workers.
Safeguarding Rights and Promoting Safe Migration
While economic integration remains a primary pillar, workshop participants emphasized that the policy must deliver robust protections for Ugandans living and working abroad. Many citizens who migrate for employment, particularly low-skilled workers in the Middle East and other regions, continue to face severe vulnerabilities, including breach of employment contracts, wage theft, human rights violations, and inadequate legal support.
Abdullar Kayima, a Ugandan resident in the United States, urged the ministry to institute dedicated emergency support systems for citizens who find themselves stranded, exploited, or unable to cover basic living expenses abroad.
Delegates agreed that safe migration strategies must begin long before departure. The draft policy highlights the necessity of pre-departure orientation programs, providing prospective migrants with verified details regarding employment terms, destination laws, worker rights, and the severe risks linked to unauthorized recruitment channels.
To improve crisis response, the policy proposes enhanced coordination between Ugandan embassies, domestic security agencies, and registered diaspora associations. This network aims to ensure citizens facing medical emergencies, unsafe labor environments, or deportation receive swift legal and humanitarian assistance without experiencing social stigma.
Dickson Ogwang, also representing the Diaspora Department, outlined critical implementation components, including comprehensive diaspora mapping, social protection frameworks, cultural heritage preservation, and administrative integration.
Ogwang emphasized that effective policymaking relies on accurate demographic data. To address current information gaps, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to partner with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to create a comprehensive database reflecting the distribution, skills profile, and needs of the diaspora.
Participants also addressed dual citizenship rights, access to civic processes, voting rights in national elections, and diplomatic support for second-generation Ugandans born overseas.
Financial Products and Governance Structures
Dr. Josh Manosh, participating virtually from the United States, advocated for the formal creation of a Uganda Diaspora Council to serve as an official, non-partisan advisory body representing citizens abroad.
“May the pearl of Africa shine and Uganda my country,” Manosh said, reinforcing the need for formal mechanisms to channel specialized technical expertise back into national development projects.
Delegates also discussed establishing a specialized Diaspora Investment Fund and implementing an official accreditation system for overseas Ugandan associations to enhance transparency and operational continuity.
Financial institutions are already moving to support this vision. Christian Kamugisha Kamuhanda, a sales administrator at Centenary Bank, stated that the bank is actively collaborating with the ministry to design tailored banking and credit services for citizens overseas. He reported that over 2,000 individuals across Germany, the United States, and Kenya are currently engaging with the bank for specialized financial services.
Institutions such as the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and cultural organizations like the Uganda American Association also contributed insights on academic exchange and heritage preservation.
Moving toward Implementation
Following the validation workshop, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to secure Cabinet approval and finalize implementation timelines. Stakeholders agreed that the ultimate success of the policy depends on allocating clear operational mandates, sufficient funding, and measurable evaluation metrics.
By building on previous regional consultation efforts, including the Uganda Global Forum and the Jinja Consensus, the government hopes to convert strategic vision into enforceable rights and viable economic opportunities for Ugandans worldwide.
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