Museveni rallies Ugandan diaspora to invest, promote country abroad

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans living abroad to invest in their home country and use their global networks to promote tourism and attract investors to Uganda.

The President made the appeal on Saturday, June 14 2025, during a meeting at State House Entebbe with a 25-member delegation from the NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative. The group was led by Boaz Byayesu Kabururu and Richard Kyabihende Nkuru, both based in the United States of America.

The engagement focused on several key areas, including savings and investment, identifying markets for Ugandan products in North America, boosting tourism, countering misinformation about Uganda, attracting foreign investment, facilitating skills and technology transfer, and promoting unity among Ugandans abroad.

The team shared with the President a strategic framework aimed at strengthening ties between Uganda and its diaspora while contributing to national development.

Highlighting the need for investment in housing, President Museveni suggested that members of the diaspora consider establishing low-cost housing near industrial parks like Namanve, Mukono, Kapeeka, and Mbale. He noted that many workers employed in these areas struggle with long commutes.

“These industrial parks are capturing big populations, and low-cost houses would help us so that these people just walk to their workplaces,” he said.

In their presentation, the diaspora team stressed the importance of structured savings and collective investment. They proposed initiatives such as diaspora-led cooperative schemes, real estate projects, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to leverage Uganda’s rapidly growing sectors.

President Museveni supported these proposals, noting that redirecting foreign remittances into productive ventures is essential for national wealth creation.

David Matanda told the President that they are encouraging smart saving practices among their peers, including fixed deposit accounts offering 10–15% annual interest, as well as investing in stock markets and real estate.

“All those are wonderful ideas, because treasury bills are secure money, where the government borrows from the public and then gives you interest, for sure. So, this is a smart move,” President Museveni responded.

On the matter of opening up markets across North America, the delegation pledged to scout for niche markets for Ugandan products such as coffee, tea, vanilla, agricultural produce, and crafts. By creating diaspora-led trade links, they aim to connect Ugandan producers directly with foreign retailers and consumers.

President Museveni endorsed the move, describing it as a path to export-led industrialisation. He also encouraged the group to invest in commercial agriculture, especially crops like passion fruits, which are in high demand in Europe.

The President was also briefed by Brian Kwesiga, a former president of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA), who revealed that he had obtained an importer’s licence for alcoholic beverages such as wine and spirits for the US market.

On tourism, the team committed to elevating Uganda’s visibility as a premier travel destination. Their strategy includes diaspora-led tours, digital marketing campaigns, and collaborations with travel influencers.

President Museveni said tourism is a major contributor to the economy and welcomed the initiatives to increase visitor numbers.

Brenda Nangasha requested land from the President to set up high-end lodges in Uganda’s national parks to attract more tourists and counter negative narratives about the country.

“We have worked with the ruler of Sharjah in the UAE to build an international airport and hotels at his cost. So, you’re right, these are the ones who will tell their colleagues to ignore the bad publicity,” President Museveni said.

“But it's better if you lure those indigenous African people there to come and visit Uganda. Our climate and the food are very good. Everyone who comes here does not want to return,” he added.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Museveni officially recognised the group as the lead NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative. The endorsement formalises their role in coordinating diaspora-related engagement and national development activities.

Byayesu described the endorsement as a major step forward in integrating diaspora contributions into Uganda’s development agenda. The team is expected to begin implementing its action plan immediately, in close collaboration with relevant government ministries and agencies.