Ambassador Muhindo seeks to turn Uganda’s diaspora into an enterprise

What the report says

KAMPALA — Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advancing a proposed Diaspora Support and Engagement Policy aimed at giving a more formal role to Ugandans living abroad in national development, according to Watchdog Uganda. The ministry presented the draft at a validation workshop at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, where officials, development partners, diplomats and diaspora representatives reviewed the policy before it moves toward Cabinet consideration and other approval steps.

Ambassador Johnny Muhindo, who heads the ministry’s Diaspora Department, said the framework has been in development for nearly two years and was shaped through consultations with Ugandans overseas, including virtual town halls and bilateral meetings. The policy seeks to move beyond treating the diaspora mainly as a source of remittances and instead link them to investment, skills transfer and business opportunities in sectors such as education, technology, agriculture, tourism and real estate.

The article also says participants stressed the need for stronger protection for migrant workers, especially those facing exploitation, contract violations or other risks abroad. The draft includes ideas such as pre-departure orientation, emergency consular support, closer coordination with embassies and associations, and a database of diaspora skills and locations developed with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

Other proposals discussed included a possible Uganda Diaspora Council, a diaspora investment fund and tailored banking services. Watchdog Uganda reported that the ministry will next work with government agencies to seek final approval and set implementation timelines.