Migration, if well harnessed, can be an engine of economic growth. For instance, in 2018 Uganda received $1.5Bn in remittances, accounting for 5.3% of the country’s GDP (Bank of Uganda, 2018).

Since 2019, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), has been implementing the project “Strengthening Capacity to Harness Positive Effects of Migration,” whose objective is to boost income-generating opportunities in agribusiness by tapping into the entrepreneurial potential of diaspora, while also fostering diaspora-inclusive policy dialogue.

Through the project, FAO and MoFA have organized two Diaspora Agribusiness Conferences to increase the visibility of diaspora-led businesses and enhance multi-stakeholder dialogue. In 2021, FAO facilitated the establishment of the Uganda Diaspora in Agribusiness Network (UDAN), the first and only Ugandan diaspora entity focused on facilitating diaspora investments into Uganda. The second edition of the Diaspora Agribusiness Conference, which took place on 20 November 2021, brought together participants from Ugandan diaspora agripreneurs and networks, youth agripreneurs, government institutions and the private sector to discuss challenges and opportunities of investing in agribusiness, contribute to the formulation of the national diaspora policy as well as present the UDAN.

Speaking at Conference, the FAO Representative in Uganda, Mr Antonio Querido, reaffirmed that Diaspora engagement in productive sectors of the economy, such as agribusiness, can play a very significant role in the social and economic transformation of Uganda.

Ambassador Kamahungye, the Director of the Regional and International Economic Affairs Directorate, who represented the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that: “Promoting diaspora investment back home doesn’t help diaspora families alone but the whole country at a large and, through such investments, diaspora contribute to creating jobs and household incomes.”r stated that ‘Government is putting in place a diaspora specific policy that will guide diaspora operations. He encouraged the diaspora to join the Uganda Diaspora in Agribusiness Network (UDAN) to collaborate, learn from each other and contribute to the agribusiness sector and consequently to the economic transformation of their country.’

“We can make a difference if we work with our diaspora: they have the experience, skills, access to market and the technology. We however need to put in place policies and interventions that can help them”, said Ms Consolata Acayo, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of communication from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). She indicated that MAAIF is putting in place some interventions that will support and encourage diaspora investment in agribusiness, including pests and diseases management, regulations on the use of agricultural chemicals, as well as the cost-benefit analysis of key enterprises to guide investment in agribusiness.

Mr Simon Ngabo, from the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), explained the role of UIA in facilitating investments. He listed some of the packages and incentives including (i) a one-stop Center that provides services such as businesses registration, bankable projects handbooks and work permits, among others; and (ii) the 50 business SME ideas initiative. In addition, UIA will soon launch an SME portal that will provide information to set up SMEs, and is developing 25 industrial parks whereworkspace for members of the diaspora can be established to support diaspora investment ideas.

The first part of the conference was dedicated to the presentation of successful diaspora-led projects under which Diaspora representatives shared their experiences.

Mr Mukasa Mo-awiya, a diaspora youth based in Dubai, decided to come back home and invest in Uganda to help create jobs for youth by creating decent jobs in agriculture. He encouraged fellow Ugandans in the diaspora to pick up the spirit of being responsible for their country by contributing to the socio-economic transformation of Uganda.

Ms Lydia Nakayenze, based in Belgium, is the director of MoMeGen Limited, a company based in Uganda. The companyhas significantly contributed to job generation through the acquisition of land for a medicinal tree farm and the construction of a factory that processes shea butter. Lydia called on the Government to address roads and electricity challenges, which are the major bottlenecks affecting investments in the district.

Mr Jacob Lubaale, based in the United Kingdom, is currently engaged in providing mechanization services such as tractors, combined harvesters and solar dryers, and processing equipment to solve the challenges of postharvest handling and quality of products that affect the marketing of Uganda products on the international markets.

In the second session of the conference, Mr Andrew Bamugye, from the Ugandan Diaspora in Agribusiness Network, shared with the participants the plans of the network, including the establishment of country chapters, a secretariat and a business model to drive the network’s operations.  

Finally, Mr Opio Richard, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented the process of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for the draft Diaspora Policy and collected feedback from the diaspora. It was recommended that country-specific virtual meetings should be organized to gather more feedback to ensure significant diaspora contribution to the formulation of the policy.

The Uganda diaspora participants represented by Ms Pamela Anyoti, one of the winners of the 2020 Diaspora Agribusiness Awards organized by the FAO who thanked the FAO and the Government of Uganda for recognizing and appreciating the efforts of the diaspora, especially those who are engaged in productive business - including challenging sectors of the economy, such as agriculture.

“I had been awarded and recognized elsewhere as an agriprenuer but not in Uganda, until the FAO Diaspora Awards in 2020. I feel honoured that my small contribution is getting recognition,” said Ms Anyoti. 

Mr Antonio Querido closed the conference retaliating FAO’s commitment to continue working with the Government and other stakeholders to support diaspora contribution to agriculture and rural development.

FAO will continue to act as a bridge between diaspora and key relevant stakeholders, with the main aim of facilitating diaspora contribution to Uganda. In the coming year, FAO will: (i) support the formalization of the Ugandan diaspora agribusiness network; and (iii) boost diaspora investments and skills transfer into youth-led agribusiness, through the organization of diaspora mentorship activities and agribusiness matching fora.