Govt planning for ‘nkuba kyeyos’- Rugunda

Lusaka:
The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, has said government is no longer wooing Ugandans in the Diaspora (locally known as nkuba kyeyos) to return home, but is instead recognising their contribution of improving the country’s balance of payments through their remittances.

“We are considering upgrading the way we deal with Ugandans in the Diaspora so that they do not have to be resident in the country in order to contribute effectively to the economy,” Dr Rugunda noted.
The Premier made the remarks while meeting about 30 Ugandans living in Lusaka, Zambia at Taj Pamodzi Hotel on Wednesday.

He hailed Zambia for considering Ugandans as useful partners in her development, asking Ugandans to take advantage of the goodwill.

Dr Rugunda gave an overview of improvements in the Ugandan economy, saying the focus was now on raising capacity internally and delivering socio-economic infrastructure.

“Government has decided to invest substantially in infrastructure and power generation, and we believe the standards of our people are bound to improve,” Dr Rugunda said.

Ugandans raised a number of issues, including those surrounding the oil and gas resources in the country, review of the anti-pornography law and the need to re-establish a Uganda High Commission in Lusaka, among others.

Mr Fred Kwesiga, a Ugandan, who is the African Development Bank resident representative in Zambia also asked for protection against harassment which, however, they said was not state-inspired.

On diplomatic protection, Dr Rugunda said a consulate would be established in Lusaka.