SEOUL, South Korea — Uganda has called on its diaspora in the Republic of Korea to invest their capital, skills and technology back home as the two countries prepare to open a major trade and investment meeting aimed at deepening bilateral commercial ties.
The appeal was made during a diaspora outreach organised by Uganda’s Embassy in Tokyo, which is accredited to Korea, at the 88 Hotel in Seoul on Saturday.
The engagement was held ahead of the Uganda–Korea Trade and Investment Meeting, scheduled for September 6–10, 2026, in partnership with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
The meeting is intended to strengthen trade and investment cooperation between Uganda and South Korea while opening new opportunities for businesses and investors from both countries.
The Seoul outreach brought together Ugandan nationals living in Korea, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss the diaspora’s role in national development, investment promotion, trade opportunities and economic diplomacy.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Korea, resident in Tokyo, H.E. Tophace Kaahwa, urged Ugandans in Korea to support the government’s economic and commercial diplomacy agenda through investment, technology transfer, tourism and capacity building.
Amb. Kaahwa said the embassy remained committed to serving Ugandans in Korea and encouraged members of the community to maintain close links with Uganda.
She described Ugandans abroad as “grassroots ambassadors” whose remittances, expertise and networks were critical to national development.
Kaahwa highlighted opportunities in tourism, mineral development, science and technology and agribusiness, saying increased electricity generation was helping to accelerate Uganda’s economic transformation.
She also encouraged Ugandans in Korea to register for national identification cards.
The ambassador said a high-level Ugandan delegation, led by the Second Deputy Prime Minister, had travelled to Korea for the engagements, adding that the Ugandan community’s talents in areas such as football and marathon running could further strengthen relations between the two countries.
Kiyonga outlines Uganda’s economic ambitions
Delivering the keynote address, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ugandan delegation, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and commended the diaspora for its unity and patriotism.
Dr. Kiyonga told the gathering that Uganda remained secure and stable and briefed the community on the country’s economic progress.
He put Uganda’s economy at about US$70 billion and said the government was targeting an economy worth US$500 billion by 2040.
On infrastructure, Kiyonga said government had invested heavily in road transport to improve mobility and accelerate economic activity. He also noted ongoing efforts to extend the railway network from Nairobi towards Kampala.
He urged Ugandans in Korea to remain proud ambassadors of Uganda, uphold unity and maintain close contact with the embassy.
Government moves to strengthen diaspora engagement
In his presentation, Ambassador Muhindo said government was developing a comprehensive diaspora policy aimed at improving coordination, communication and access to government services.
He described the policy as a major milestone, saying Ugandans abroad had previously been “scattered and fragmented”.
Muhindo said consultations on the diaspora policy had largely been completed in North America and Europe and were now being extended to Asia and other regions.
He urged Ugandans in Korea to participate in the Uganda Diaspora Convention, scheduled for December 18–22, 2026.
He also encouraged those returning home to share the knowledge and technology acquired in Korea through mentorship and other initiatives.
The convention, first held in 2024, has helped strengthen links between Ugandans abroad and opportunities at home, he said.
Diaspora urged to support industrialisation
Ambassador Henry Mayega, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, recognised the diaspora’s contribution through remittances, investment and professional expertise.
He said Ugandans abroad were important stakeholders in advancing the government’s priority areas of agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology and innovation.
Mayega called for greater unity among Ugandans abroad and urged them to participate actively in the country’s industrialisation drive, saying national development should transcend political affiliation.
The Honorary Consul of Uganda in Busan, Dr. Kim Jin Bo, praised the growing friendship between Uganda and South Korea and encouraged Ugandans to apply the skills and experience gained in Korea to Uganda’s development.
He described the Ugandan community in Korea as an important bridge between the two governments and peoples.
654 Ugandans living in Korea
Earlier, the President of the Ugandans in South Korea Association, Hamza Kyamanywa, welcomed the delegation and said the association was working to build a united and vibrant Ugandan community.
Kyamanywa said 654 Ugandans were living in South Korea as of July 31, 2026, comprising 407 men and 247 women.
He said many of them were students, employees and entrepreneurs who remained closely connected to Uganda and continued to contribute to the country both directly and indirectly.
Kyamanywa, who has lived in Korea for eight years, said he arrived in the country as a student before transitioning into employment and later entrepreneurship.
During an open session, participants raised concerns and questions around professional development, sports and the welfare of Ugandans married to Korean nationals.
Some participants also highlighted challenges arising from the absence of a resident Ugandan embassy in Korea, noting that consular services are currently provided through the embassy in Tokyo.
The Seoul outreach was among a series of diaspora and business engagements organised around the Uganda–Korea Trade and Investment Meeting, which opens on September 6.
The engagements are expected to provide a platform for Uganda to showcase investment opportunities while strengthening business-to-business and government-to-government cooperation with South Korea.
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