Gov’t engages Ugandan diaspora strategically

Summary:

• Ambassador Johnny Muhindo, Head of the Diaspora Department, emphasizes unity among Ugandan diasporas and discusses key initiatives, while Uganda’s High Commissioner in the UK applauds their patriotism and outlines steps for engaging the diaspora, highlighting the importance of diaspora coordination for national development.

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It was invigorating to hear Ambassador Johnny Muhindo, Head of the Diaspora Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasize the need for unity among Ugandan diasporas. The Ambassador recognized the positive impact that diasporas have on Uganda’s development.

He delved into broader diaspora issues, discussing the role of the Diaspora Department, the formulation of a policy for a secure, orderly, and development-oriented diaspora, the planned return of qualified Ugandan nationals, a pilot project in collaboration with MOFA/IOM on transferring skills from the diaspora, participation in Ugandan elections, a proposed annual homecoming summit starting in 2024, and the suggestion for a diaspora SACCO for investments in Uganda and abroad.

It is now widely acknowledged that diasporas significantly contribute to homeland development through remittances and extend their impact beyond these crucial financial flows. Their contributions are organized across various scales and sectors, offering both financial and in-kind resources to communities and populations in their countries of origin.

Moreover, these nationals play an indispensable role in representing their homelands abroad and facilitating bilateral relationships between host and origin countries.

The Uganda High Commission in London, with support from the Government of Uganda, has initiated organized steps to engage the Ugandan diaspora, and this effort is particularly crucial at the present time.

Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Nimisha Madhavani, praised the diasporas for their patriotism and acknowledged their efforts in promoting Uganda overseas. She provided guidance and pledged support for diaspora initiatives, including investment priority areas such as bankable projects.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic and regional instabilities, Uganda remains resilient. The establishment of the Department of Diaspora Affairs in 2007, the appointment of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, and the recent appointment of Ambassador Johnny Muhindo as the Head of the Department of Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrates Uganda’s political will to engage with the diaspora.

The mid-term is a critical period for Uganda to leverage the skills, resources, and shared cultural contexts of the diaspora for mutual exchange, reciprocal benefit, and collective resilience.

Actions to be taken include identifying countries, especially in Africa and the developing world, that have successfully integrated the diaspora into national planning, reviewing existing ministry efforts to engage with the diaspora, initiating immediate or short-term improvements to these processes, identifying opportunities to foster trust with the diaspora for long-term engagement programs, determining effective communication strategies with the diaspora, and developing a proposal for a mapping assessment of the Ugandan diaspora.

Diaspora engagement is crucial to all areas of governance and requires a well-coordinated actor that can streamline efforts and balance diaspora expectations of transparency. These programs offer the Government of Uganda the opportunity to engage diaspora members who may want to assist family members in property acquisition or investment for wealth and job creation back home.

From the perspective of the Uganda UK Health Alliance, Moses Mulimira expressed appreciation for the support from the Government of Uganda, conveyed via the Embassy and Ministry of Health, for Diaspora health associations. At the same event, the High Commissioner congratulated Mr. Mulimira for winning the global health award and being a positive role model in the Uganda-UK diaspora community, suggesting he should be honored with a national medal.

The event also saw the presence of Miss Uganda UK 2023/2024 and other diaspora members.