ADDIS ABABA — Ugandans living in Ethiopia have been urged to contribute to Uganda’s economic development through investment, trade, skills transfer and partnerships with government and the private sector.
The call was made during a two-day diaspora engagement event held at the Hilton Addis Ababa under the theme, “Connecting, Celebrating and Contributing: Harnessing the Ugandan Diaspora for National Development.”
The event brought together Ugandan professionals, students, businesspeople, researchers, families and staff of regional and international organisations to explore ways of strengthening links between the diaspora and Uganda’s development priorities.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Uganda Embassy, Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, conveyed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s best wishes to the community and urged Ugandans abroad to maintain strong ties with their home country.
Otengo said Ugandans in Ethiopia contributed to Uganda’s image and relations with Ethiopia through their professional work, businesses, studies and daily interactions.
She encouraged them to uphold integrity, respect Ethiopia’s laws and customs, and contribute positively to the communities in which they live and work.
“As we pursue opportunities abroad, let us never forget home. Our families, communities and country remain an important part of who we are,” Otengo said.
She urged Ugandans to remain informed about developments at home, maintain contact with their families and, where possible, visit Uganda to explore opportunities to support national development.
“The development of our country is a shared responsibility. Each of us has something to contribute, whether through professional expertise, new ideas, investment, enterprise or support to our families and communities,” she said.
Otengo said the diaspora could also help deepen Uganda-Ethiopia relations, promote shared prosperity and contribute to Uganda’s economic transformation.
Wondafrash Debere Tolera, who represented Zerihun Abebe, Director-General for African Affairs at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended Ugandans living in Ethiopia for their conduct and contribution to development.
Tolera highlighted the importance of people-to-people relations between the two countries and pointed to the growing Ethiopian community in Kampala, particularly in Muyenga, Kansanga and Buziga, areas commonly referred to as “Little Ethiopia”.
He said Ethiopia hoped the warm reception extended to Ethiopians living in Uganda would translate into stronger commercial and business relations between the two countries.
Johnnie Muhindo, head of the Diaspora Services Department at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the engagement was intended to mobilise Ugandans abroad to support the country’s socio-economic transformation.
He said diaspora investment, trade, skills transfer and cooperation with government and private-sector institutions were consistent with Uganda’s economic and commercial diplomacy strategy.
Muhindo also said the government was in the final stages of drafting a National Diaspora Policy, following consultations with Ugandan communities living abroad.
The policy is expected to provide a framework for strengthening diaspora engagement and supporting contributions to Uganda’s development.
Participants also heard from government officials, business leaders and diaspora representatives about opportunities for collaboration and experiences of Ugandans living and working abroad.
Ugandans who had registered for national identity cards in May 2026 received their new cards during the event.
Representatives of the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) also provided information on services and opportunities available to Ugandans living abroad.
The embassy said NIRA registration services and NSSF advisory services would be available on October 15 at the embassy’s chancery building in Gerji, Bole, Addis Ababa.
The two-day engagement sought to promote Uganda’s culture and investment opportunities while connecting Ugandans in Ethiopia with government services and initiatives aimed at involving the diaspora in national development.