Gov’t Commences Diaspora Mapping

Office of the President & Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, in conjunction with the Ministries of Foreign & Internal Affairs, and other Government Agencies, have embarked on a journey of Diaspora mapping, a process of identifying, documenting, and analysing the demographics, skills, and networks of Uganda’s Diaspora communities; starting with North America, Europe, Asia and Ocenia.

“The goal is to understand the size, distribution, and characteristics of Ugandan Diaspora groups, as well as, to explore on how well, their potential can better contribute to the development of Uganda and themselves,” Ambassador Walusimbi has disclosed.

With support from the Office of the President, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, and team have left for USA, to start on the noble assignment of Diaspora mapping. The team will start with Calfornia, Massachusetts, Texas & Illinois, among others. Thereafter, head to Canada-Toronto & Ottawa, to meet the various Diaspora chapter members, to explore and assess immediate and long-term needs that can inform policy.

The Ugandan Diaspora community makes significant contributions to the country’s economy; in 2022, remittances reached $1.42 billion, a 13.4% increase from the previous year. Diaspora investments in agribusiness, education, tourism, export promotion, commercial diplomacy and other sectors, have contributed to Uganda’s economic growth and job creation, tremendously.

Thus, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, & the Government of Uganda, recognise the vital importance of the Diaspora community’s contributions, establishing the Office of Diaspora Affairs, in a bid to engage with and support all Ugandans living abroad.

The objectives of Diaspora mapping will among others include; establishing demographics, population size, geographic population, age, gender & occupation.

Skill sets: Education, qualifications, and professional expertise and explore best way for knowledge transfer and innovation.

Build networks: Social, cultural, and economic connections within the Diaspora communities and the country of origin-Uganda.

Remittances: Improve financial flows sent back to the country and ensuring value for money sent by Diaspora.

Investment potential in businesses, real estate, or other ventures.

Gathering data for informing policy formulation and programs to engage Diaspora communities.

Whereas there are over 4 million Ugandans in the Diaspora, contributing extensively to Uganda’s development, there are challenges facing them that require deliberate government attention and support.

“It’s against this background that we have started on Global Diaspora mapping that will inform policy,” Walusimbi added.

Among the challenges faced by Diaspora communities, include but not limited to:

The challenges faced by our Diaspora communities are a lot more than documented, some are social, political, economic, and different host countries treat immigrants differently.

There are over 4 million Ugandans in the Diaspora, and all needs to be done to streamline this community. The African Union 6th Region, among other global organisations, have evolved to address Diaspora issues and enhance dignity and quality life of Diaspora communities of African origin.

Cultural preservation: Diaspora communities struggle to maintain their cultural identity & language, especially when surrounded by a dominant culture. This, will require enhancing Diaspora associations.

Integration & belonging: Diaspora communities experience difficulties in integrating into their new host country and feeling a sense of belonging. This, causes loss of identity and produces a generation that has no belonging, and patriotism.

Access to resources & services: Diaspora communities still face challenges accessing resources & services, such as healthcare & education, in their host country.

The challenges are a lot more, home sickness, voicelessness, isolation, lack of legal documents, loss of their hard-earned income to dishonest family & relatives back home, citizenship and residency rights, language barrier, career growth, indecent housing, among others.

“The Government foreign missions, different Diaspora leagues/associations and all taskforce committee, will be very instrumental in supporting the shaping out of this noble effort. We shall share a detailed schedule to roll-out plan in the near future. I wish to thank our President and the entire government, for the support & guidance to our Diaspora communities,” the Ambassador stated.

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