POLICY: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seeks to Turn Uganda’s Diaspora into an Enterprise
By Brian Mugenyi
KAMPALA — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is spearheading the development of a landmark national policy aimed at establishing a coordinated framework to engage Ugandans living abroad, protect their rights, and harness their economic potential for national development.
Speaking during the National Validation Workshop for Uganda’s Diaspora Support and Engagement Policy at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, Ambassador Johnny Muhindo, Head of the Diaspora Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed that the policy framework has been under active formulation for two years.
The validation workshop brought together senior government officials, international development partners, civil society actors, and diaspora representatives to review the proposed framework before its submission for final Cabinet approval.
Ambassador Muhindo emphasized that the ministry conducted extensive global consultations—including interactive virtual town halls—to ensure the lived experiences and core concerns of Ugandans across the globe directly shape the final policy document.
“This policy concerns and affects diaspora citizens directly. They must feel that it brings them closer to home, and we are working tirelessly toward a united diaspora community,” Muhindo said. “We started drafting this policy two years ago, and we are now approaching the finish line. We appreciate the continued support of all stakeholders.”
A primary objective of the proposed framework is shifting the institutional perspective on overseas citizens. Rather than viewing Ugandans abroad strictly through the lens of individual money transfers, the government aims to position them as active commercial and development partners.
“We want to make the diaspora community an enterprise,” Muhindo stated.
The policy aims to connect Ugandans overseas with key investment opportunities across high-priority sectors, including education, technology, tourism, real estate, and commercial agriculture. It introduces structured pathways for direct investment, technology transfer, and institutional partnerships between overseas professionals and local entities.
Muhindo highlighted the role of established diaspora business networks in connecting domestic enterprises to global supply chains, international investors, and market opportunities.
During the workshop, participants highlighted the critical contribution of remittances to Uganda’s macroeconomy, citing growth from $1.2 billion to $3 billion in recent years—a figure awaiting final verification against official central bank figures prior to policy publication.
Safeguarding Welfare and Migrant Worker Rights
While commercial enterprise remains a core pillar, workshop participants insisted that the policy must deliver enforceable social protection and welfare guarantees for Ugandans working overseas.
Thousands of citizens who travel abroad for employment—particularly low-skilled workers—continue to face severe vulnerabilities in host countries, including contract violations, wage theft, harsh working conditions, and inadequate access to legal representation.
Abdullar Kayima, a Ugandan resident in the United States, urged the ministry to establish dedicated emergency support mechanisms for citizens who become stranded, injured, or financially distressed abroad.
Delegates agreed that safe migration management must begin prior to departure. The draft policy outlines mandatory pre-departure orientation programs designed to provide prospective migrant workers with verified job terms, destination country laws, documentation requirements, and warning signs of human trafficking and irregular migration channels.
To improve emergency response protocols, the policy seeks to formalize coordination between Ugandan diplomatic missions, security agencies, and accredited diaspora associations. This setup aims to streamline medical assistance, legal aid, and repatriation support for vulnerable citizens without exposing them to social stigma.
Dickson Ogwang, also representing the ministry’s Diaspora Department, outlined critical policy focus areas, including comprehensive diaspora mapping, mobility frameworks, integration assistance, and social protection programs.
Ogwang stressed that effective policy execution depends on accurate demographic data. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to collaborate with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and related state agencies to build a centralized database tracking the distribution, professional skills, and needs of Ugandans overseas.
Delegates also raised concerns regarding dual citizenship rights, civil documentation for children born abroad, civic participation, access to electoral processes, and consular assistance.
Structured Governance and Financial Services
Dr. Josh Manosh, participating virtually from the United States, advocated for the formal establishment of a Uganda Diaspora Council to serve as an official advisory and representative body.
“May the pearl of Africa shine,” Manosh remarked, emphasizing the need for structured systems to direct diaspora technical expertise into national public works and professional sectors.
Delegates also evaluated proposals for a dedicated Diaspora Investment Fund and an official accreditation mechanism for diaspora organizations to guarantee operational transparency and continuity.
Financial sector partners are already aligning with the ministry’s objectives. Christian Kamugisha Kamuhanda, a sales administrator at Centenary Bank, revealed that the bank is working with the ministry to deliver tailored banking and investment services to citizens overseas, with over 2,000 individuals across Germany, the United States, and Kenya currently being onboarded.
Following the validation workshop, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will finalize the policy draft alongside relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to secure Cabinet approval and establish an operational implementation roadmap.
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