Museveni Seeks ⁢Ugandan Diaspora Investment⁣ to Spur Tourism, Development

‍ ⁤ Updated ⁤June 15, 2025
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Entebbe, uganda – president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday urged the Ugandan diaspora to increase investment in their homeland and leverage their global networks to⁢ attract more tourists. Speaking at State House Entebbe, Museveni met with 25 members of the NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative, led by Boaz Byayesu Kabururu and Richard Kyabihende Nkuru, both visiting from the United States.

The meeting centered on strategies to strengthen ties between Uganda and its ‍diaspora,⁤ focusing ⁢on savings and‍ investment, identifying North American markets for ugandan goods, promoting tourism, countering misinformation, attracting investors, facilitating‍ skills transfer, and unifying Ugandans abroad.The diaspora team presented a framework to enhance national development efforts.

Museveni highlighted investment⁤ opportunities, particularly in low-cost housing near industrial parks in Namanve, Mukono, Kapeeka, and Mbale. He noted the thousands of workers in these parks face accommodation challenges. “These industrial parks are capturing big populations, and⁤ low-cost⁤ houses would help‍ us so that these people just walk to their workplaces,”⁣ Museveni said.

Regarding savings and investment, the diaspora team proposed cooperative investment schemes, real estate ventures, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Museveni welcomed these ideas, emphasizing‍ the importance of channeling remittances into productive enterprises for national wealth creation. David Matanda said they are⁤ guiding⁤ colleagues toward smart saving strategies, such as fixed deposit accounts and stock market investments.

“all those are fantastic ideas, because treasury bills are secure money, ⁤where the government borrows from⁣ the public and then⁤ gives you‍ interest, for sure. So, this is a smart move,” Museveni said.

To boost exports, the diaspora pledged to find niche markets in North America for Ugandan coffee, vanilla, tea, crafts, and agricultural products. They aim to establish⁢ trade channels connecting Ugandan⁢ producers directly with consumers and retailers abroad. Museveni encouraged this export-led industrialization approach and urged investment in commercial agriculture, especially crops like passion fruit that are in high demand in Europe.Brian Kwesiga, former president of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA), mentioned he had already secured an importer’s license for alcoholic beverages.

The delegation also committed to promoting Uganda as ⁤a prime tourism destination through digital marketing, diaspora-led tours, and partnerships with travel influencers.Museveni acknowledged tourism as a key economic pillar. Brenda Nangasha requested land ⁣to build state-of-the-art lodges ⁤in national parks to attract more ‍tourists and counter negative publicity.

“We have worked with⁣ the ruler of Sharjah⁢ in the UAE to build an international Airport and hotels at his cost. ⁣So,you’re right,these⁢ are the ones who will tell⁢ their colleagues to ignore the ‍bad publicity,” Museveni noted. He also encouraged attracting ⁢indigenous African tourists, citing Uganda’s favorable climate and cuisine.

Museveni officially recognized the NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative as the primary group for coordinating diaspora⁣ engagement.”The endorsement marks a notable milestone in formalizing diaspora⁤ contributions toward Uganda’s development agenda,” Byayesu said.

What’s next

The government plans to actively involve the Ugandan diaspora in national development ⁢and global advocacy. The NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative is expected⁣ to begin implementing its action points immediately, collaborating with key ministries and agencies to boost‍ investment and tourism.