Ugandans in Ethiopia urged to invest back home

ADDIS ABABA - Ugandans living in Ethiopia have been urged to invest in Uganda, expand trade links and share their professional skills to support the country’s economic transformation.

The call was made during a two-day diaspora engagement forum organised by the Ugandan embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It was themed: 'Connecting, Celebrating and Contributing: Harnessing the Ugandan Diaspora for National Development'.

Uganda's ambassador to Uganda, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, said Ugandans in the diaspora have a role to play in national development through their businesses, professional expertise, investment and support for families and communities back home.

The ambassador​ also encouraged Ugandans to respect Ethiopia’s laws and customs and maintain good relations with their host communities, saying their conduct and professional achievements helped shape Uganda’s image and bilateral relations.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the embassy, Otengo urged the diaspora community to maintain close ties with Uganda, remain informed about developments at home and explore opportunities to contribute to the economy.

“The development of our country is a shared responsibility. Each of us has something to contribute, whether through professional expertise, new ideas, investment, enterprise or support to our families and communities,” she said.

The ambassador​ also encouraged Ugandans to respect Ethiopia’s laws and customs and maintain good relations with their host communities, saying their conduct and professional achievements helped shape Uganda’s image and bilateral relations.

Wondafrash Debere Tolera, who represented Zerihun Abebe, the director-general for African affairs at Ethiopia’s foreign affairs ministry, commended Ugandans for their conduct and contribution to development in Ethiopia.

Tolera called for stronger commercial relations between the two countries, pointing to the growing Ethiopian community in Kampala’s Muyenga, Kansanga and Buziga suburbs, popularly referred to as “Little Ethiopia”.

He said the positive relations between the two communities should translate into increased trade and business partnerships

Johnnie Muhindo, head of the Diaspora Services Department at Uganda’s foreign affairs ministry, said the engagement was part of the Government's efforts to mobilise Ugandans abroad to support the country’s socio-economic transformation.

He said the Government is in the final stages of drafting a National Diaspora Policy following consultations with Ugandans living in different parts of the world.

The policy is intended to provide a framework for diaspora engagement, including investment, trade, skills transfer and partnerships with government and the private sector

Muhindo said the initiative is aligned with Uganda’s economic and commercial diplomacy strategy, which seeks to use international relationships to advance the country’s economic interests.

The forum brought together Ugandan professionals, students, businesspeople, researchers and families living in Ethiopia, as well as government officials and representatives of institutions serving Ugandans abroad.

It ​sought to strengthen links between Ugandans abroad and development opportunities at home while promoting Uganda’s culture, investment potential and cooperation with Ethiopia

Participants received updates on government policies and services available to the diaspora, including opportunities for Ugandans to contribute to development initiatives while living overseas or after returning home.

Representatives of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) also provided information on their services. Ugandans who had registered for national identity cards in May 2026 received their new cards during the engagement.