Minister Babalanda Urges Diaspora to Invest Skills and Capital Back Home

What the report says

Uganda’s Minister for the Presidency, Babirye Milly Babalanda, has urged Ugandans living abroad to do more than send money home and instead channel skills, technology, capital and partnerships into the country’s development. She made the remarks in Kampala while opening a High-Level Conference for Diaspora and Forced Migrant Communities at the Office of the President Conference Hall, under the theme “Bridging Worlds: Diaspora & Forced Migrants for Shared Prosperity.”

According to Watchdog Uganda, Babalanda said the government wants to protect the rights and dignity of Ugandans at home, abroad and on return. She also pointed to Uganda’s refugee-hosting role as evidence of its tradition of hospitality, while warning that both migrants and host communities must respect the law. The minister appealed to forced migrants whose status has not been regularized to work with authorities to do so.

The report says Babalanda highlighted the government’s support for Ugandans in distress overseas, including rescue and repatriation efforts and reintegration help for returnees. She said diaspora remittances reached about USD 2.8 billion in the 12 months to March 2026, and encouraged more focus on knowledge transfer, investment and business links. Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Abbey Walusimbi said the conference aims to produce practical ideas on livelihoods, mentorship, reintegration and better coordination among government bodies and local authorities.

The meeting brought together diplomats, senior officials, diaspora representatives, forced migrant communities and civil society groups in Kampala.