KAMPALA – The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has challenged Ugandans living abroad to look beyond remittances and bring their skills, technology and investments back home as Uganda prepares for its oil economy and next growth phase.
She was speaking today at the Office of the President Conference Hall in Kampala while opening the High-Level Conference for Diaspora and Forced Migrant Communities, convened under the theme “Bridging Worlds: Diaspora & Forced Migrants for Shared Prosperity.”
The meeting drew heads of diplomatic missions, senior government officials, diaspora leaders, forced migrant community representatives and civil society.
In her opening remarks, Babalanda conveyed warm greetings from H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Secretary Office of the President Hajji Yunus Kakande, and staff of the Office of the President.
She said government views migration as a human story of hope and resilience, and remains committed to protecting the dignity and rights of every Ugandan at home, abroad or returning.
Babalanda said Uganda’s open-door refugee policy, which has made the country Africa’s largest refugee host, reflects the character of its people.
“This demonstrates the character of our people: we know what it means to need a helping hand, and we believe every person deserves dignity,” she said.
She however appealed to forced migrants whose stay has not been regularised to work with the relevant authorities to regularise their status, and cautioned that hospitality comes with responsibility.
“Let us respect Uganda’s laws, just as we expect Ugandans living abroad to respect the laws of their host countries,” she said.
Babalanda reaffirmed government’s commitment to Ugandans in distress abroad, pointing to recent rescue and repatriation operations from the Gulf states and the reception, rehabilitation and resettlement of thousands of returnees from South Africa at NALI-Kyankwanzi with start-up support.
On diaspora contribution, she disclosed that remittances rose to USD 2.8 billion – over Shs10 trillion – in the 12 months to March 2026, representing about 4% of GDP, up from USD 1.9 billion the previous year.
While commending the growth, she said money alone is not enough.
“Do not only send money home. Send knowledge, technology, skills, partnerships and investment. And where possible, come home yourselves,” she challenged.
She said the Ministry for the Presidency facilitates the Office of the President Diaspora Affairs headed by Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, to coordinate with MDAs so that diaspora participation feeds into President Museveni’s development agenda.
Ambassador Walusimbi thanked Minister Babalanda for officiating at the conference and for her consistent support to the diaspora.
He said the gathering was about practical connections – using diaspora networks to open livelihood doors for forced migrants and returnees, while recognising the resilience of displaced persons.
“We want the knowledge, networks, skills, and resources of the Ugandan diaspora to open doors for forced migrants and returnees,” he said.
Walusimbi said the conference targets four modest but achievable outcomes: a clearer understanding of challenges faced by diaspora communities, returnees and forced migrants; a short list of practical ideas for livelihoods, skills transfer and mentorship linked to the National Return and Reintegration Framework under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; stronger coordination among the Office of the President Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Gender, refugee management bodies and local governments to avoid duplication; and a focus on implementation.
“We prefer a few things done well to many ideas that remain on paper,” he said.
He noted that behind the discussions are real families – those depending on remittances for school fees, returnees struggling to restart after difficult experiences abroad, forced migrants seeking stability, and host communities sharing scarce resources in Kampala, refugee-hosting districts and Karamoja.
“When systems work and people support one another, hope grows. When people are left behind or processes are unclear, the whole nation feels the cost,” Walusimbi said.
He called for honest, solution-oriented engagement and for respect of institutional mandates, while pledging the Diaspora Affairs office to bridge gaps through convening and listening.
“On behalf of our visionary leader, grandfather and freedom fighter, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, I thank you once again for being part of this effort. Let us work together to turn dialogue into practical bridges that serve the people of Uganda,” he concluded.
