Entebbe – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans living abroad to actively invest in their homeland and leverage their global exposure, networks, and influence to attract more tourists to Uganda.
The President appealed on Saturday, June 14, 2025, during a high-level meeting with a delegation of 25 members of the NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative, led by Mr. Boaz Byayesu Kabururu and Mr. Richard Kyabihende Nkuru, both based in the United States.
Held at State House Entebbe, the meeting addressed a wide range of strategic priorities, including diaspora savings and investments, promoting Ugandan exports in North America, enhancing tourism, combating misinformation, attracting foreign investors, facilitating technology and skills transfer, and fostering unity among Ugandans abroad.
Investment Opportunities Back Home
President Museveni outlined critical areas where diaspora members can invest, such as establishing affordable housing near industrial parks in regions like Namanve, Mukono, Kapeeka, and Mbale.
“These industrial parks are capturing big populations, and low-cost houses would help us so that these people just walk to their workplaces,” the President said, noting the need to ease the daily struggles of workers commuting long distances.
On the topic of diaspora-led investments, the group proposed forming cooperative investment schemes, real estate ventures, and SME development projects to tap into Uganda’s fast-growing sectors.
President Museveni applauded the proposals and emphasised the importance of channelling remittances into productive enterprises, calling it a “vital component of national wealth creation.”
“All those are wonderful ideas, because treasury bills are secure money. The government borrows from the public and pays interest. So, this is a smart move,” he said, responding to the team’s ideas on structured savings and fixed deposit accounts yielding 10–15% annual interest.
Boosting Ugandan Exports and Market Linkages
The team pledged to help identify niche markets across North America for Ugandan products like coffee, vanilla, tea, crafts, and agricultural produce. They aim to build diaspora-led trade networks that connect Ugandan producers directly to international consumers and retailers.
President Museveni welcomed the initiative, saying it aligns with his government’s vision for export-led industrialisation. He further urged Ugandans abroad to invest in commercial agriculture, particularly crops with high demand in international markets such as passion fruits.
Promoting Tourism and Uganda’s Image Abroad
The delegation committed to raising Uganda’s profile as a premier tourism destination by using digital platforms, organising diaspora-led tours, and partnering with global travel influencers.
President Museveni noted that tourism is a key driver of Uganda’s economy and encouraged the diaspora to use their platforms to counter negative narratives about the country.
“We’ve partnered with the ruler of Sharjah in the UAE to build an international airport and hotels at his cost. So yes, these are the people who will tell their peers to ignore the bad publicity,” the President said.
He further emphasised attracting Africans in the diaspora to visit Uganda. “Our climate and the food are very good. Everyone who comes here does not want to return,” Museveni remarked.
Formal Recognition and Next Steps
In a significant development, President Museveni officially recognised the NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative as the primary team responsible for coordinating diaspora engagement on behalf of the government.
“The endorsement marks a major step in formalising the diaspora’s role in Uganda’s development,” said team leader Byayesu, who presented a strategic framework to strengthen ties between Uganda and its global diaspora.
The delegation is expected to begin the immediate implementation of their action points in collaboration with relevant ministries and government agencies.
The meeting represents a renewed commitment by the government to actively involve the Ugandan diaspora in shaping the country’s economic future and strengthening its global image.