The government of Uganda has commenced a diaspora mapping exercise to explore the potential in its overseas nationals in a bid to contribute to the development of the East African country.
This was made known by Abby Walusimbi, a senior presidential advisor of diaspora affairs who was part of a delegation of top Ugandan diplomats and several government officials on a foreign mission to California, Massachusetts, Texas and Illinois in America, among other states earlier on in July 2024.
From North America, the exercise will also be conducted on the European continental bloc in to Asia and Oceania.
‘’The goal is to establish demographics, understand the size, distribution and characteristics of the Ugandan diaspora as well as gathering data for informing policy formulation and programs to engage diaspora communities,’’ Walusimbi told the Monitor.
Official government data suggests that there are more than 4 million Ugandans living outside their country.
Whilst not all these people are actively maintaining links with Uganda, a significant proportion is active in supporting the development of the country with diaspora community remittances topping 142 billion dollars in 2022 a 13.4 percent increase from the previous year.
‘’Diaspora investments in agribusiness, educations, tourism, export promotion, commercial diplomacy and other sectors have contributed to Uganda’s economic growth and job creation tremendously,’’ Walusimbi said noting that they are looking to cement or even improve such gains.
According to him, the mapping is also intended to offer deliberate government attention and support for the country’s diaspora populations to overcome hard hitting challenges on foreign soil.
Source: Monitor