Share this article

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the first Uganda Diaspora Convention on December 18-19, 2024, at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The event aims to engage the Ugandan Diaspora, review past activities, and discuss opportunities in consular services, investment, tourism, and economic development.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) will host the Inaugural Uganda Diaspora Convention from December 18th to 19th, 2024, at the Commonwealth Speke Resort, Munyonyo, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kampala.

Held under the theme, “Mobilizing the Diaspora for Social Development,” the Convention will assess past activities undertaken by MoFA and its 40 Missions abroad, as well as deliberate on opportunities to deepen engagement with the Ugandan Diaspora community.

Key past events to be reviewed include:

• The Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Convention,
• The Uganda-UK Diaspora Convention,
• The Confederation of Ugandans in Southern Africa Convention, and
• The Uganda-Canadian Convention.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Department, the Diaspora Convention was conceived as a platform to address pertinent issues affecting Ugandans living abroad and strengthen partnerships for Uganda’s development.

MoFA’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, underscored the importance of the Ugandan Diaspora as a vital resource for national development. “The diaspora contributes significantly to GDP growth, knowledge and skills transfer, and must be included in our National Development Plans. The Government should provide avenues to harness their full potential,” he emphasized.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), one of the event’s main sponsors, estimates the Ugandan Diaspora population at over two million. The Diaspora community continues to play a critical role in Uganda’s economy, contributing approximately $1.4 billion annually in remittances. Beyond remittances, they actively participate in key socio-economic sectors, including Health, Agriculture, Education, ICT, and Financial Services.

UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwane Vwede-Obahor, described the Convention as “an invaluable platform for engagement, exchange of ideas, and establishment of partnerships that will benefit both the Diaspora and Uganda.” She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to providing technical expertise, strategic communication, and operational support for the event.

“The Diaspora community plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of nations through their expertise, remittances, investments, and advocacy. They have become key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development,” she added.

Ambassador Johnnie Muthahi Muhindo, Head of the Diaspora Services Department at MoFA, highlighted that the Department, established in 2007, serves as a coordination hub for Diaspora-related services. He noted that the Ministry is actively developing a National Diaspora Policy to provide a comprehensive framework for engagement in trade, investment, and technology transfer. “… A National Diaspora Policy will provide clear guidelines on how Uganda engages with its diaspora in key areas such as trade, investment, and technology,” he said.

The agenda for the Convention will include discussions on:

• Enhancing access to user-friendly Consular Services for Ugandans abroad,
• Uganda’s 10-fold economic growth plan,
• Financial and investment opportunities,
• Land protection and banking services,
• Developments in oil and gas,
• Tourism, and
• Agro-industrialization.

The Ministry envisions that the Uganda Diaspora Convention will become an annual event to ensure continued collaboration and foster meaningful contributions from the Diaspora towards Uganda’s sustainable development.