State House’s Bagonza Urges Ugandan Diaspora  to Drive Economic Transformation 

State House’s Bagonza Urges Ugandan Diaspora  to Drive Economic Transformation

The government is again urging Ugandans living in the diaspora to invest back home and take advantage of not only the domestic market but also the large African Continental Free Trade Area.

Mr Mohammad Bagonza the senior Presidential advisor Diaspora affairs to H.E Yoweri Museveni says that the government is focused on supporting and executing the knowledge-based economy, explaining that with sustained investment, the country will achieve more.

“The investments are immense in commercial agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mineral value addition, tourism, ICT, infrastructure development and many others that you can invest in for your benefit,” Bagonza said.

Bagonza made the remarks during a meeting with the diaspora community delegation led by Businessman Wilberfoce Kateregga and Mr Francis Nkuusa, who are in the country for both political and development engagements.

Bagonza noted that it is high time Ugandans abroad took part in developing their own country by investing back home. He said by investing back home, Ugandans can help add a building block onto the development of their country but also help create employment opportunities for fellow Ugandans.

As Uganda continues its push for economic transformation, the involvement of its diaspora will remain a central pillar. “The diaspora will continue to be our strategic ally in transforming Uganda,” concluded Bagonza.

Nkuusa urged Ugandans in the diaspora to be united but also encouraged each other to tap into opportunities back home.

“The NRM has been able to create a conducive investment environment in Uganda by ensuring peace and stability across the country,” Nkuusa added.

In recognition of the substantial role the diaspora plays in development in terms of financial contribution and in flow of skills and knowledge, the government is committed to offering a wide range of services to the large population of Ugandans in the Diaspora.

According to a recent UNDP report, there are more than 2 million Ugandan citizens (Diaspora) that live and work abroad.

The Ugandan Government is endeavoring to create an enabling environment whereby the diaspora is able to channel resources to the right places as well as addressing the multitude of bottlenecks and challenges faced by the diaspora that plan to invest in the home country.

‘’We are encouraging the Diaspora to invest in Uganda in areas of Agriculture, Industry, Tourism, ICT and the Services industry such as hotel and leisure. We invite serious investors to invest in Uganda’’, said Nkuusa.

Nkuusa says there is a need to categorically target the diaspora to encourage them to send their earnings back home with the assurance it will be safe. With the rise of the Muhoozi wave, the focus is being directed towards engaging the diaspora comprehensively to mend the fences that have long been ruptured by the enemies of the state who ignorantly tend to circulate a rotten picture about the country.