Uganda urges diaspora in China to invest at home under tenfold growth plan

Uganda’s government has urged its citizens living in China to invest at home and help drive its plan to grow the economy tenfold, at a diaspora forum in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

The Uganda Diaspora Day Forum was held on Saturday at the Shangri-La Hotel. It was organised by the Ugandan embassy in Beijing and the consulate general in Guangzhou to mark 64 years of Uganda’s independence.

Ugandan students, entrepreneurs and professionals living in China attended, along with officials from the foreign affairs and internal affairs ministries. Government agencies and private firms in Kampala joined by video link.

Uganda’s ambassador to China, Oliver Wonekha, described the diaspora as a key partner in the government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which aims to expand the economy to $500bn by 2040.

She said Ugandans abroad had a role in the government’s four priority sectors, known as ATMS: agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals including oil and gas, and science, technology and innovation.

Ms Wonekha urged Ugandans in China to register with the embassy and the consulate, seek consular advice early and obey Chinese law. She said the government was considering opening consular offices in other major Chinese cities.

Martin Muniera, interim president of the Ugandan Community in China, thanked the missions for engaging with the diaspora. He said misinformation about opportunities abroad continued to leave Ugandans open to exploitation.

Ambassador Evans Aryabaha, head of consular services at the foreign affairs ministry, outlined the services available to Ugandans abroad and said the government was committed to their protection and welfare.

Dr Josephine Ekwang, commissioner for inspection and compliance at the internal affairs ministry, presented the National Immigration Policy 2025. Dr Ekwang said its reforms were intended to strengthen migration governance and increase the diaspora’s contribution to development.

Rita Mugula, an assistant director at the Uganda Investment Authority, outlined investment incentives in the priority sectors.

Benedict Kaweesi of the Uganda Revenue Authority’s customs department explained tax and customs procedures, including exemptions available to diaspora investors.

Lillian Kefeeza Mutebi of Old Mutual and Martin Sseguya, chief manager for personal banking at Centenary Bank, presented financial and banking products aimed at Ugandans living abroad.

Maj Gen Geoffrey Muheesi, an ambassador and the deputy head of mission in Beijing, urged Ugandans to obey Chinese law and avoid breaching immigration rules. He also told them to “project a positive image” of Uganda.

Maj Gen Muheesi encouraged the diaspora to draw inspiration from what he described as China’s disciplined and focused transformation.

The embassy said follow-up would be handled by the missions and by contact people in the government agencies and private firms that took part.