Uganda President Museveni Urges Diaspora to Register for Better Planning and Investment Access

President Yoweri Museveni has called on Ugandans living abroad to formally register with government-recognized structures to improve engagement, streamline support systems, and create stronger avenues for investment.

Speaking on Tuesday at State Lodge, Nakasero, while addressing members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) from over 20 countries, Museveni said the government is seeking accurate data on Ugandans in the diaspora to guide development planning.

“It is crucial to know the Ugandans, name by name, country by country, so we know how to plan for them,” Museveni told the delegates, emphasizing that the initiative is inclusive and not restricted to NRM supporters.

The registration exercise will be coordinated by NRM’s Director of External Affairs, Maj. (Rtd) Awich Pollar, in partnership with State House staff led by Ms. Barbra Barungi. Museveni directed them to collaborate with diaspora community leaders to ensure transparency and inclusivity.

The president noted that the actual size of Uganda’s diaspora population, often estimated at four million, remains unclear. “You may say we are talking of four million, but when they are not there. They may be less or more,” Museveni remarked.

As part of efforts to boost diaspora participation in Uganda’s development, Museveni announced plans to create a deputy director position within the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to serve as a direct point of contact for Ugandans abroad seeking investment opportunities.

Maj. (Rtd) Pollar explained that Article 25 of the NRM Constitution allows Ugandans in foreign countries to form NRM branches where 20 or more members are present. These branches, he said, hold the same status as NRM districts in Uganda and may further organize into cells in different cities

The president admitted that past attempts to organize the diaspora have lacked clarity but expressed readiness to establish clear and permanent structures going forward.

Representatives from countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, China, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt attended the meeting. Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Mr. Philip Kakuru thanked Museveni for his leadership and reaffirmed the diaspora’s commitment to national development through investment, advocacy, and community projects.