ADDIS ABABA, October 15, 2026 — Uganda has called on its citizens living in Ethiopia to contribute to the country’s economic transformation through investment, trade, skills transfer and stronger partnerships with government and the private sector.

The call was made during a two-day Ugandan diaspora engagement event held at the Hilton Addis Ababa under the theme “Connecting, Celebrating and Contributing: Harnessing the Ugandan Diaspora for National Development.”

Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, urged Ugandans abroad to maintain close ties with their home country and explore opportunities to support national development through their professional expertise, businesses and investments.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Ugandan Embassy, Otengo conveyed President Yoweri Museveni’s best wishes to the community and commended its role in strengthening Uganda’s image and relations with Ethiopia.

She encouraged Ugandans to respect the laws and customs of their host country while maintaining links with their families and communities back home.

“The development of our country is a shared responsibility. Each of us has something to contribute, whether through professional expertise, new ideas, investment, enterprise or support to our families and communities,” Otengo said.

She added that Ugandans living in Ethiopia could help deepen bilateral relations, promote shared prosperity and contribute to Uganda’s transformation.

Wondafrash Debere Tolera, representing Zerihun Abebe, Director-General for African Affairs at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the Ugandan community for its conduct and contribution to development in Ethiopia.

Tolera highlighted the importance of people-to-people relations, pointing to the growing Ethiopian community in Kampala’s Muyenga, Kansanga and Buziga neighbourhoods, collectively known as “Little Ethiopia.”

He called for the warm reception extended to Ethiopians in Uganda to translate into stronger commercial and business ties between the two countries.

Johnnie Muhindo, Head of the Diaspora Services Department at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the engagement reflected the government’s strategy of mobilising Ugandans abroad to support socioeconomic development through investment, trade, skills transfer and partnerships.

Muhindo also revealed that the government was in the final stages of drafting a National Diaspora Policy following consultations with Ugandan communities across the world.

The proposed policy is intended to provide a framework for strengthening diaspora engagement and harnessing the contribution of Ugandans living abroad to national development.

The event brought together Ugandan professionals, students, businesspeople, researchers and families living in Ethiopia, alongside government officials and business representatives, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and share experiences.

Participants also received updates on policies and services supporting diaspora engagement, including arrangements for Ugandans returning home or contributing remotely to development initiatives.

Ugandans who had registered for national identity cards in May 2026 received their new IDs during the gathering. Representatives of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) also provided information on services available to citizens abroad.

The embassy said NIRA registration and NSSF advisory services would be available at its chancery in the Gerji suburb of Bole, Addis Ababa, on October 15.

The engagement forms part of Uganda’s broader efforts to connect its diaspora with investment opportunities, strengthen economic diplomacy and encourage citizens abroad to play a greater role in the country’s development.