Uganda, Kenya to collaborate on diaspora affairs

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A Ugandan delegation that was on a benchmarking visit to Kenya on Thursday, May 8, 2025, concluded the exercise after two days of extensive discussions on diaspora engagement.

According to a press release seen by New Vision from the State House Diaspora Unit, the delegation that was received on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, by Roseline K. Njogu, the Principal Secretary of the Department of Diaspora Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was led by Senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs and head of the State House Diaspora Unit, Mohammed Bagonza.

Senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs and head of the State House Diaspora Unit, Mohammed Bagonza, speaking during the benchmarking exercise. (Courtesy photo)

The delegation, which included officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and finance, learned about the unique structure of Kenya's State Department of Diaspora Affairs, which was established by Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 and a subsequent Executive Order No. 2 of 2023, with expanded mandate as a fully-fledged state department.

The department provided an overview of its work across various directorates, focusing on several key areas: promoting the rights, welfare, and interests of Kenyans living abroad; building partnerships and engaging with the diaspora; facilitating savings and investments; supporting technology transfers; assisting with international job placements; and fostering bilateral and multilateral relations.

While addressing the delegation, the release states that Njogu noted that the department has a 9-point mandate to ensure protection, engagement, empowerment and prosperity for the Kenyans in the diaspora.

Roseline K. Njogu, the Principal Secretary of Kenya's Department of Diaspora Affairs, speaking during the benchmarking exercise. (Courtesy photo)

She called for increased collaboration, coordination and knowledge sharing on diaspora engagement between Kenya and Uganda and within the East African region at large.

According to the release, the exercise ended on Thursday with a wrap-up session focusing on diaspora savings, investments and remittances. The delegation learnt about Kenya’s strategies on incentivising diaspora remittances, harnessing diaspora savings, foreign direct investment and technology transfer.

According to Kenya’s diaspora affairs department, these goals were being realised through building trust, expanding diaspora investment options, enhancing awareness on diaspora investment alternatives and improving the business environment for diaspora investments.

The discussions also covered areas of skilling and international job placement strategies and initiatives. The two teams shared experiences and ideas on skilling and job placement for their nationals abroad, coupled with strong protection mechanisms against labour exploitation and human trafficking.

Protection of citizens against external labour exploitation

The Kenyan team hailed Uganda’s progress in pioneering measures for the protection of its citizens against external labour exploitation.

Senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs and head of the State House Diaspora Unit, Mohammed Bagonza, speaking during the benchmarking exercise. (Courtesy photo)

Ambassador Ann Wanjohi, Director-Liaison and Partnerships, appreciated the visiting delegation for choosing Kenya as a case study and called for continued exchanges and collaboration in diaspora engagement.

Excellent bilateral relations

Bagonza hailed the excellent bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and appreciated the Kenyan Government for hosting the biggest population of the Ugandan diaspora.

He commended the efforts of the state department, which is setting an example for the rest in the region on effective diaspora engagement as evidenced by high remittances of $4.94 billion (about sh18.07 trillion).

The Ugandan delegation with their Kenyan counterparts posing for a photo after the meeting. (Courtesy photo)

He noted that the valuable lessons learnt from the Kenyan experience will enrich the Ugandan diaspora policy. He reiterated the commitment of the Ugandan Government in the spirit of the East African community to continue collaborating with the Government of Kenya in diaspora matters.

Diaspora policy benchmarking exercises

The foreign affairs ministry, in collaboration with the State House Diaspora Unit, has already conducted two benchmarking exercises in Ethiopia and India earlier this year. These exercises are designed to expedite the development of a diaspora policy that aims to strengthen the connection between Ugandans living abroad and the government.