PM Nabbanja appeals to Ugandans in the Diaspora to market their country as the best investment destination

By: Ismael Kasooha  

KAMPALA

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has appealed to Ugandans in the Diaspora to be patriotic and promote Uganda as the best investment destination.

Uganda earns at least 2bn US Dollars from remittances of Ugandans in the Diaspora annually.

Nabbanja made the remarks while addressing leaders of Ugandans in the diaspora from different countries in the world at a meeting that took place at her office in Kampala.

Ugandans in the Diaspora met the Prime Minister with several issues that require government attention to enhance investment back in their home country.

The leaders briefed the Prime Minister that they are faced with numerous challenges affecting their remittances to Uganda.

While presiding over the meeting, Nabbanja said that Ugandans in the Diaspora had highlighted some of the challenges that hinder them from investing back home in their country.

“Uganda is your country and even if you get any other citizenship you still remain of Ugandan origin so please promote and market your country wherever you are,” said Nabbanja.

Nabbanja was flanked by the Director General Uganda Investment Authority Robert Mukiza, the Head of Uganda Development Bank Dr. Patricia Ojangole, the Commissioner Border and Foreign Nationals’ management at Immigrations, Col. Geoffrey Kambere Rujumba and Moses Kaggwa the Director Economic affairs from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The Premier further assured Ugandans in the diaspora that they should invest back home because of the peace, security and the favourable investment climate created by the NRM government.

Robert Mukiza, the Director General Uganda Investment Authority assured Ugandans in the diaspora that the country had created an enabling environment for both national and foreign investors.

“We offer incentives to both nationals and foreign investors and the national you only have to invest 50,000US Dollars to benefit from the incentives while the foreigners the threshold is 250,000US Dollars,” noted Mukiza.

Col. Geoffrey Kambere Rujumba, the Commissioner border and foreign nationals’ management at Migration said that everything was being done to address concerns raised by Ugandans in the Diaspora.

“We have established a mobile Kit to register our nationals in other countries for the National Identity cards and even handle passport issues from our Embassies when need arises,” said Kambere.

Nabbanja castigated some politicians in the Country who are always there to oppose government programmes just for the sake of being seen and gain popularity at the expense of their country.

Nabbanja said that the Government had allowed Hamis Kigunddu to develop Nakivubo channel but some people were instead opposing such investments.

The members of the Diaspora are from countries such as Canada, US, UK, China, Sweden, Netherlands, Turkey, Thailand UAE and other African countries.

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