Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, the Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, has urged Ugandans in the diaspora to become key agents of economic transformation by supporting President Yoweri Museveni’s vision of a self-reliant and empowered Uganda.

Speaking during a meeting with Ugandan nationals in Cape Town, South Africa, Hajjat Namyalo emphasized the indispensable role that diaspora communities play in Uganda’s national development.

She noted that beyond their remittances—which remain one of the country’s largest sources of foreign exchange—diaspora Ugandans contribute significantly through skills transfer, investment in business ventures, and community-led development projects.

“President Museveni values and appreciates the contribution of Ugandans abroad. The diaspora is not just a support base—it is a strategic pillar in our economic and social development,” she said.

She added, “You are already contributing through remittances, but we now call upon you to go a step further by investing back home in agribusiness, manufacturing, real estate, ICT, and youth enterprises.”

To demonstrate the President’s commitment to inclusive development, Hajjat Namyalo has so far donated $225,000 to the Ugandan community in South Africa.

The donation, she said, is meant to support ongoing diaspora-led empowerment initiatives, particularly those focused on skills development, youth entrepreneurship, and community welfare.

According to the Bank of Uganda, diaspora remittances totalled over $1.2 billion in recent years, making the diaspora one of the top contributors to Uganda’s GDP. These funds help support millions of households, stimulate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and finance education and health services across the country.

“The diaspora must be fully integrated into the national planning framework,” Namyalo added.

“This is the President’s vision—Ugandans, whether at home or abroad, working together to secure our future.”

The event in Cape Town was attended by hundreds of Ugandans, including professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders. Many expressed appreciation for the ONC’s outreach and pledged to deepen their engagement with development efforts back home.

This diaspora mobilisation effort forms part of a wider ONC campaign to consolidate grassroots support for President Museveni ahead of the 2026 elections, while promoting Uganda’s economic diplomacy and tapping into the global Ugandan network for national progress.