JINJA – Ugandans living and working abroad have been urged to seize various opportunities and invest back home.
Several speakers made the appeal during the two-day diaspora summit dubbed ‘home is best diaspora summit 2018’. The event took place in Jinja, eastern Uganda.
According to the acting executive director at the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Basil Ajer, the diaspora community contributes more than $ 1.4 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually. He said if this money is put into proper investment, it can help to transform Uganda’s economy.
The meeting drew Ugandan diaspora from all over the world who engaged with representatives of various government agencies and local businesses.
The summit encouraged the attendees to invest in tourism, agro-processing, renewable energy and in government bonds as part of the wide plans to boost domestic investment.
Other areas include strengthening domestic Small and Medium Enterprises, ICT and mineral beneficiation, as well as services, and organized Diaspora funds and investment clubs.
Jinja Town has vast investment potential especially in the industry and tourism sectors due to its strategic location on the banks of Africa’s longest river, River Nile and on the shores of Lake Victoria.
