Diaspora policy: Ugandan team conclude benchmarking visit to India

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A delegation from Uganda concluded their diaspora policy benchmarking visit to India with a courtesy call on New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on Thursday (March 20).

VIF is comprised of India's leading practitioners from the fields of security, military, diplomacy, government, academia and media.

The Uganda delegation having an engagement with officials at New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation. (Courtesy photo)

During their engagement, VIF officials shared insights on how to harness the potential of the diaspora in national development, highlighting the successes of the Indian diaspora engagement and how it was influenced by deliberate government policies and strategies.

Mohammed Bagonza, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs and Head of the State House Diaspora Unit, provided details of what transpired.

He said Lt Gen. R. K Sawhney, the Centre Head at the VIF, encouraged the involvement of think tanks to contribute to government policy discussions, including on diaspora engagement.

Lt Gen. R. K Sawhney (2R) the Centre Head at the VIF, encouraged the involvement of think tanks to contribute to government policy discussions, including on diaspora engagement. (Courtesy photo)

Sawhney called for co-operation between Uganda and India on joint development projects that are a priority to Uganda and mutually beneficial to both countries.

Amb. Johnny M. Muhindo led the Ugandan delegation.

Together with Bagonza, they hailed the bilateral co-operation between Uganda and India.

They agreed to continue sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration between VIF and other think tanks and institutions of higher learning in Uganda regarding policy matters.

Benchmarking visit

The purpose of the diaspora policy is to assist the Ugandan government in developing strategies to support and effectively utilize the skills and resources of its diaspora community.

A delegation from Uganda concluded their diaspora policy benchmarking visit to India with a courtesy call on New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation. (Courtesy photo)

The Uganda delegation started their benchmarking visit with an engagement with Amb. Joyce Kikafunda, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India on Tuesday (March 18).

They later met with officials from the Ministry of External Affairs of India in charge of the Diaspora Engagement Division.

During the engagement, the Ugandan officials were briefed on the history, initiatives, and programmes of India’s Diaspora Engagement Division, including policies aimed at strengthening connections between India and its diaspora.

On Wednesday, the delegation had fruitful discussions with the Ugandans living and working in India.

Lt Gen. R. K Sawhney called for co-operation between Uganda and India on joint development projects that are a priority to Uganda and mutually beneficial to both countries. (Courtesy photo)

The visiting team heard about the challenges Ugandans face in India, such as the human trafficking of young girls and difficulties in sending money back home because of complications in opening bank accounts.

The Ugandan community in India requested government support in repatriating Ugandans who have overstayed their visas but cannot afford to pay the fines, putting them at risk of facing jail sentences.

Special attention was also sought for victims of human trafficking and those without regular travel documents to facilitate their safe return to Uganda.

The delegation from Uganda concluded their diaspora policy benchmarking visit to India with a courtesy call on New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation. (Courtesy photo)

Students asked for government follow-up mechanisms for placement when they complete their studies, especially those in highly specialised fields of study.

On his part, Amb. Muhindo encouraged the Ugandan community in India to remain united and law-abiding, and further appreciated their contribution to the development of Uganda through their remittances back home.

In his comments, Bagonza reiterated President Yoweri Museveni’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation of all Ugandans, including those in the diaspora.