President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans living abroad to invest back home and use their international exposure to promote Uganda as a leading tourism and trade destination.
The President made the appeal during a high-level meeting with 25 members of the NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative at State House Entebbe on Saturday. The delegation, led by Boaz Byayesu Kabururu and Richard Kyabihende Nkuru from the United States, presented a strategic framework aimed at enhancing diaspora participation in Uganda’s development.
Museveni emphasized the importance of structured diaspora investment in sectors such as real estate, tourism, and agriculture, describing it as a “vital engine for national wealth creation.”
“These industrial parks are capturing big populations, and low-cost houses would help us so that these people just walk to their workplaces,” the President said, referring to Namanve, Mukono, Kapeeka, and Mbale parks.
He endorsed proposals from the team to establish diaspora-led cooperative investment schemes and savings models, including fixed deposit accounts and treasury bills. “Treasury bills are secure money. This is a smart move,” Museveni remarked.
David Matanda briefed the President on efforts to educate fellow diaspora members on savings and investment options like stock markets and fixed deposits that offer returns of up to 15% annually.
The team also pledged to identify niche markets in North America for Ugandan products like coffee, vanilla, tea, and crafts. Museveni welcomed this move, noting that it supports Uganda’s push toward export-led industrialization. “Commercial agriculture focused on high-demand crops like passion fruits will earn you big,” he said.
Brian Kwesiga, a former president of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA), announced that he had secured a U.S. import license for alcoholic beverages and intends to promote Ugandan brands abroad.
On tourism, the delegation promised to launch diaspora-led campaigns to market Uganda’s beauty. They plan to use digital tools, influencer collaborations, and heritage tourism to attract more visitors.
Brenda Nangasha requested government land to construct eco-lodges inside national parks. Museveni welcomed the idea, noting that foreign investment in tourism infrastructure helps counter negative media narratives. “Everyone who comes here does not want to return,” he said.
Museveni officially endorsed the group as the principal NRM Diaspora Cadres Initiative and tasked them with coordinating all future diaspora engagement.
“This endorsement marks a significant milestone in formalizing diaspora contributions toward Uganda’s development agenda,” Byayesu said.
The group will now begin working with relevant ministries and agencies to implement its proposals.