Uganda Diaspora Convention: Government Pledges Inclusive Growth Partnership

Munyonyo — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the Ugandan diaspora as a key pillar of national development, global competitiveness, and economic transformation during the Second Uganda Diaspora Convention 2025.

Convened under the theme “Economic and Commercial Diplomacy,” the event brought together Ugandans from across the globe, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, development partners, and private sector representatives to consolidate dialogue, share policy direction, and co-create pathways for deeper diaspora engagement in Uganda’s growth agenda.

Welcoming participants, Amb. Johnny Muthahi Muhindo, Head of the Diaspora Department at MoFA, described the Convention as a maturing platform built on partnership, ownership, and results.

“The diaspora are no longer ad-hoc contributors to Uganda’s story—they are strategic partners in shaping shared prosperity. This engagement is designed for you to tell us what works, what you bring, and how we can jointly unlock Uganda’s full potential,” he said.

Amb. Muhindo highlighted benchmarking with countries such as India, Ethiopia, and Kenya, alongside comprehensive skills-mapping initiatives to align diaspora expertise with Uganda’s development priorities. He noted that a draft Diaspora Policy, now at an advanced stage, has been widely circulated to ensure inclusivity and long-term impact.

Representing the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Joseph Enyimu, emphasised the government’s evolving approach that positions the diaspora as investors, market connectors, skills carriers, and ambassadors of Uganda’s economic brand.

He highlighted Uganda’s strong export performance, with merchandise exports exceeding USD 10 billion by June 2025, rising to USD 11 billion including services, while stressing the need to transition from commodity-based exports to value-added, technology-driven production.

“Achieving Uganda’s ambition of a USD 500 billion economy by 2040 requires more than policy reforms. It demands market intelligence, trusted networks, and regulatory navigation, which the diaspora uniquely provides,” he stated.

In his remarks, Mr Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Permanent Secretary at MoFA, stressed that protecting and promoting the interests of Ugandans abroad remains central to Uganda’s foreign policy.

He highlighted efforts to strengthen missions as coordinated economic delivery points while ensuring citizen welfare and service delivery. He also recognised support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and announced plans to institutionalise a global celebration of the Ugandan diaspora starting next year.

Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, officially opened the Convention, conveying President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s greetings.

She commended the diaspora for its sustained contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and highlighted national reforms in government rationalisation, energy infrastructure, public financial management, and priority sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

She also emphasised opportunities in energy, oil and gas, agro-industrialisation, tourism, and innovation, inviting diaspora participation in scalable investment and industrial growth. “You are our ambassadors. Your engagement and confidence are vital to building a stronger, more inclusive Uganda,” she said.

The Second Uganda Diaspora Convention 2025 reaffirmed that Uganda’s diplomacy is people-centred, economically driven, and globally engaged.

The government pledged to finalise a dynamic Diaspora Policy, professionalise economic diplomacy across missions, and strengthen frameworks supporting diaspora investment, skills transfer, and market access. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its openness to constructive engagement and its resolve to work with Ugandans abroad as equal partners in shaping Uganda’s future.