{UAH} “KYEYO PEOPLE” THEIR ROLE IN UGANDA’S DEVELOPMENT
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"KYEYO PEOPLE" THEIR ROLE IN UGANDA'S DEVELOPMENT
Although the contributions of Ugandans living in the diaspora has often been overlooked, unaccredited and unappreciated, their contribution greatly bolsters the country's growth and development. The exposure that many of us come into contact with, adds innumerable value in terms of growth of better business ideology, knowledge of local conditions and networks, cultural diversity and experience, increase in intellectual capacities and the gaining of essential and crucial skills that foster growth, is relatively substantial.
Today, Ugandans are part of a large-scale, worldwide transnational and trans-cultural community that is becoming one of the major African forces shaping the direction and trends of the East African Community in the twenty-first century. Ugandans living abroad have often influenced government policy-makers in their strategies and activities implemented towards the management of the county. This is done through transnational networks which work as a bridge to social, economic and political ideologies which are eventually used to channel wealth, information, innovative ideas, intellectual capacities, skills, and creative business practices. A case in point is the now popular annual Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Convention which the business community and all politician from both sides of politics, as well social organizations and Human Rights' Activist want to attend
Dr. Besigye and Hon Kadaga addressing the one of the UNAA Convention meeting
Financial remittance
Ugandans living abroad remit quite a substantial amount of money. Although these remittances are highly unnoticed, their impact is of great significance. The money remitted by Ugandans living abroad tangibly contributes towards alleviation of poverty, enhancement of economic development, increase in basic savings, mobilization of capital for basic investments, thus an increase in productive investments and the provision of the much needed emergency aid.
In the recent past, the Ugandan economy has faced a number of natural disasters. Presently, the country is facing a scarcity of money. There is a slowdown in business and an economic recession. However, the contributions from Ugandans living abroad effectively provides a form of insurance, which serves to shore up economic stability in many poor people in the long-run. While this insurance is greatly deserving, and also judging from the fact that it is a 'pro-poor financing' model, it remains an under-appreciated flow of funds.
It is a known fact that many Ugandan tycoons and political leaders hold huge amounts of money in their private accounts in western Banks. Needless to say, a huge amount of this money is either embezzled or received through fraudulent deals or through corruption. That notwithstanding, Ugandans living abroad have built a history of financial remittances to friends and relatives which has often served as a reliable source of stable income and lifeline for many families. The money that families receive from their relatives living abroad is fast and reaches them directly; making it an effective means of relief and rehabilitation and provides benefits to many people at the base of Uganda's social class.
Business Assistance
Ugandans living abroad have entered into collaboration with Businessmen and enterprises with the intention of setting up joint ventures. Many play an intermediating role by linking companies with companies back home. In doing so, they help facilitate the transfer of finance and technical know-how to local enterprises. This is of utmost importance because, with the shrinkage or collapse of the formal national economy, most Ugandans now engage in small-scale informal trade for their livelihood. Informal trade is now, in fact, the biggest market economy in Uganda currently generating more than 60% of domestic wealth.
Ugandans living abroad play an important role in promoting Ugandan exports overseas since many small and medium enterprises cannot afford to travel abroad in order to promote their products, find distributors and establish contacts with export marketing partners. Ugandan art and craft products, dairy products like cow ghee, Matooke (Plantain), clothes, among others are very popular items in the west. Ugandan cultural and contemporary music is becoming another popular item. Ndere Troupe, Afrigo Band, and a large number of local artists have gained their fame by performing for Ugandans living abroad. Many NGOS and charity organizations helping out in local Ugandan communities have been engineered or facilitated by Ugandans Living abroad serving as valuable human agencies.
Some of the art work sold at the UNAA convention
Even though Ugandan communities away from home operate at the precincts of their host society due to the weak social, economic and political position in which most migrants find themselves, their contributions towards the country's development has been tangible. Recognizing the influence of the Ugandans living abroad requires a greater synergy between the Ugandan local leadership and the Ugandans' communities and Diaspora organizations. It is forthcoming and some progress has been made, albeit rather slowly.
While Ugandans living abroad are impacting greatly on the Ugandan local communities and economy, it is not yet clear how this still embryonic contribution can be given a well deserving measure.
By Magala Gerald Mukiibi, Esq.
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