Empowering diaspora networks to strengthen Uganda's resilience and drive growth in the agrifood sector
The inaugural Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diaspora Convention, held on December 18–19, 2024, at the Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, marked a groundbreaking moment in enhancing diaspora engagement for Uganda’s development. Co-sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this first-ever convention of this kind brought together government officials, the private sector, development partners, and members of Uganda’s diaspora to discuss ways to strengthen diaspora’s involvement in the socio-economic transformation of the country.
“The diaspora is a driving force behind Uganda’s economic growth, contributing through remittances, investments, and knowledge transfer. FAO is dedicated to fostering an enabling environment to enhance these contributions, particularly in agribusiness and climate action. By collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders, we aim to empower diaspora networks and strengthen Uganda’s resilience, particularly in rural communities”, said Edward Tanyima, FAO’s national coordinator of the “Enhancing resilience and empowerment in communities at risk of climate-induced migration” programme, financed through the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC).
The event featured presentations from key government ministries, showcasing opportunities and services available for the diaspora to invest in different sectors. Additionally, financial institutions, including the Bank of Uganda and commercial banks, discussed financing options for diaspora investments.
Development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), emphasized the critical role of diaspora networks in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), with FAO highlighting the importance of diaspora for agribusiness and climate action.
Edward Tanyima stressed that diaspora contributions are vital for advancing agribusiness and achieving sustainable development, aligning with FAO’s global objectives of eradicating hunger and reducing rural poverty. He called for creating a supportive environment that maximizes diaspora contributions by improving investment conditions, fostering skills transfer, and establishing platforms for engagement.
Diaspora members shared inspiring stories of their contributions to their country of origin in various sectors, highlighting how their investments and expertise have driven Uganda's development. A key highlight was the participation of the Uganda Diaspora Agribusiness Network (UDAN), established with the support of FAO. UDAN emphasized the role of diaspora in generating opportunities for youth in agribusiness and showcased the network's success in enhancing coordination among diaspora agripreneurs and facilitating information sharing and capacity building.
Andrew Bamugye, Executive Secretary of UDAN, stated: “Today’s summit is a great opportunity to showcase our work in the Ugandan agrifood space. We have recognized successful diasporas who have invested back home, and we have facilitated mutually beneficial projects between the Ugandan diaspora and youth in agribusiness”.
The convention also provided an opportunity for governments to gather feedback from the diaspora to inform policies and strategies that facilitate the contribution of the diaspora to Uganda's socio-economic development. In addition, the event also featured exhibitions from diaspora investors, financial institutions, and companies offering investment support. The event concluded with a review of key highlights and proposals for strengthening diaspora engagement.
Support provided by FAO to this convention is part of the activities implemented by the FVC Sub-Programme “Enhancing resilience and empowerment in communities at risk of climate-induced migration”. The project, implemented in Uganda and Nepal, was launched in 2024 and aims to boost climate resilience in rural areas vulnerable to climate-induced migration. It focuses on empowering communities, especially women and youth, through the adoption of climate-adaptive agricultural practices, and improved access to information on safe migration and climate adaptation. The project also seeks to leverage diaspora networks for climate action and strengthen government capacities to integrate human mobility into climate adaptation plans at national and local levels.