Toronto, Canada – The Uganda High Commission in Ottawa convened a consultative meeting with members of the Ugandan diaspora in Toronto to strengthen institutional engagement and explore ways of aligning diaspora capabilities, resources and expertise with Uganda’s national development priorities. The meeting, held at the Sheraton Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, was convened under the leadership of Ambassador Allan Kajik, Chargé d’Affaires of the Uganda High Commission in Ottawa, in strategic partnership with Global Events Canada.
The engagement brought together Ugandan diaspora representatives and community leaders for discussions on diaspora policy, investment, trade, welfare and opportunities for stronger collaboration between the Mission and Ugandans living in Canada. A key focus of the consultation was the draft Diaspora Support Policy. Participants reviewed the draft with guidance from Dr. Abubaker Mohammad Moki, the policy consultant, and Mr. Dickson Ogwang from the Diaspora Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The discussions provided an opportunity for members of the diaspora to share views on policy measures that could strengthen their contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. Participants considered proposed incentives for diaspora investment, mechanisms for facilitating trade between Uganda and Canada, and measures to support Ugandans living abroad who wished to return, settle or retire in Uganda. The consultation also addressed concerns relating to nationality and citizenship affecting children and grandchildren of Ugandans born in the diaspora. Participants shared perspectives on how such issues could be reflected in the policy framework and addressed through appropriate institutional arrangements.
The meeting further considered the role of the Ugandan diaspora in advancing the objectives of the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. Discussions examined opportunities for leveraging diaspora expertise, technology transfer, trade facilitation and capital investment to support Uganda’s development priorities. Participants highlighted the potential for the diaspora to serve as an important bridge between Uganda and the Canadian market through business networks, professional expertise, investment partnerships and knowledge exchange.
In addition to economic and policy matters, the meeting provided a platform for discussing the welfare and well-being of Ugandans living in Canada. Participants and Mission officials explored avenues for improving communication, information sharing and structured engagement between the High Commission and the diaspora community. The consultation reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue between Uganda’s diplomatic missions and its citizens abroad. It also underscored the strategic role of diaspora engagement in mobilising skills, knowledge, investment and networks in support of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the Uganda High Commission and diaspora representatives to strengthen institutional cooperation and establish more structured channels of engagement, information exchange and collaboration. The Toronto consultation therefore contributed to Uganda’s broader efforts to build a more coordinated and productive relationship with its diaspora while strengthening people-to-people and economic ties between Uganda and Canada.
Photo Credit: Uganda High Commission Ottawa
