Govt to register Ugandans living abroad

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Uganda has commenced a diaspora mapping exercise to explore the potential of its overseas nationals to contribute to development, senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, has said.

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, the top Ugandan diplomat and several government officials departed Kampala for the foreign mission, which is due to start this week in California, Massachusetts, Texas and Illinois in the US.

“The goal is to establish demographics, understand the size, distribution and characteristics of the Ugandan diaspora, as well as gather data for policy formulation and programmes to engage diaspora communities,” Walusimbi said.

Official government data indicates that there are over four million Ugandans living outside their country.

While not all these people are actively maintaining links with Uganda, a significant proportion are active in supporting the development of the country, with diaspora community remittances topping $1.42b (sh5.28 trillion) in 2022, 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,” Walusimbi said, noting that they are looking to cement or even improve such gains.

According to the diplomat, the mapping is also intended to offer government attention and support for the diaspora populations to overcome hard-hitting challenges abroad.

From the US, the Ugandan contingent will proceed to Toronto and Ottawa in Canada, where they will meet several diaspora chapters to assess and explore immediate and long-term needs that can inform corresponding action.

From North America, the exercise will also be conducted in Europe, Asia and Oceania, per a schedule to be announced in the coming days.

US-based Ugandan communications officer Sharon Nirere said the purpose of the mapping aligns with her aspirations for personal growth and the development of Uganda’s economy.

“Most of the problems we face are not addressed because they are always unknown to our home government. I am optimistic that the mapping will come with solutions to problems we face, such as misuse of our remittances, racial abuse, lack of documentation and zero access to critical social services,” she said in an interview.

Over the past years, the Presidency has shown a strong commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Ugandan diaspora, further creating the Walusimbi-led office, specifically designated for diaspora concerns.

“We want to grasp the best way for knowledge transfer and innovation while we also build social, cultural and economic connections between the diaspora communities and their country of origin,” the diplomat said as he backed the mapping.

He added: “We also seek to protect and improve financial flows sent back to the country, ensuring value for money sent by the diaspora.”