On Wednesday (March 19), the Ugandan delegation on a diaspora policy benchmarking trip in India had fruitful discussions with the Ugandans living and working there.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Ambassador Johnny M. Muhindo, who is the Head of the Diaspora Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammed Bagonza, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs and Head of the State House Diaspora Unit.
The engagement organized by the Ugandan High Commission in New Delhi, led by Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, involved Ugandan students at Indian universities and other Ugandans living and working in India.
The delegation heard about the challenges Ugandans face in India, such as the human trafficking of young girls and difficulties in sending money back home because of complications in opening bank accounts.
The Ugandan community in India requested government support to assist in repatriating Ugandans who have overstayed their visas but cannot afford to pay the fines, putting them at risk of facing jail sentences.
Special attention was also sought for victims of human trafficking and those without regular travel documents to facilitate their safe return to Uganda.
Students asked for Government follow-up mechanisms for placement when they complete studies especially those in highly specialized fields of study.
Ambassador Muhindo encouraged the Ugandan community to remain united and law-abiding. He appreciated their contribution to the development of the country through their remittances back home.
He further implored them to organize elections for the diaspora leadership structures of Ugandans in India with the support of the embassy.
In addressing the challenges of human trafficking, Ugandans were urged to share information about the perpetrators to facilitate their apprehension.
Additionally, they were encouraged to establish Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SAACOs) to promote savings, which would make it easier for them to access government support programs.
SPA Bagonza reiterated President Yoweri Museveni’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation of all Ugandans, including those in the diaspora.
He encouraged all the Ugandans in India to register with the embassy so that the Government can know where they live and what they do to serve them better.