Mobilization of Ugandan Diaspora for National Development: A Case Study of Ugandans in Zambia
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Date
0024-03-29
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
This study investigated the mobilization of Ugandans in diaspora for national Development using a case study of Ugandans in Zambia. The specific objectives of the study were to: assess how existing mobilization mechanism of Ugandans in Zambia influence their participation in national development, assess how awareness of the role of foreign Mission in Tanzania affect the mobilization of Ugandans in Zambia to participate in National Development, find out how inclinations (social, economic and professional) of Ugandans in Zambia affect their mobilization to participate in National Development, assess how leadership structure of Ugandans in Zambia affect their mobilization to participate in National Development. The study adopted a case study approach so as to provide an opportunity for an in-depth study of particular stake holders in the mobilization and foreign mission of Ugandans in diaspora.
Data was obtained, analyzed and a meaningful generalization was made with in Uganda in both quantitative and qualitative measures. The study sample was drawn from a population of 125 participants who included Ministry of Foreign & Internal Affairs officials 10, Foreign Mission in Tanzania 15 and Ugandans in Zambia 100. The sample size was Ministry of Foreign & Internal Affairs officials 10, Foreign Mission in Tanzania 14, Ugandans in Zambia 80 and the total was 104. The study applied questionnaires and interviews as instruments of data collection. This research adopted thematic analysis to classify and interpret the gathered data.
The major finding from this study show that Ugandans in Zambia are not effectively mobilized to participate in national development. The mobilization mechanism, awareness of the role of foreign Mission in Tanzania, Social, Economic and Professional inclinations among Ugandans in Zambia and leadership structure of Ugandans in Zambia have limited the participation of Ugandans in Zambia towards national development. The existing mobilization mechanism of Ugandans in Zambia limit their participation in national development because; There are problems in mobilizing Ugandans in the diaspora (73%). These create gaps that hinder their effective mobilization to participate in national development. Ugandans in Zambia are not mobilized through a registered and recognized association. The existing associations that unite Ugandans in Zambia are not legally registered (92%). Although Ugandans in Zambia are registered in a diaspora association (79%). Many Ugandans in Zambia are not aware of the legal status of these associations, which limit their mobilization to participate in national development. Uganda has no diaspora mobilization strategy (50%), that is Uganda lacks a clear known diaspora mobilization policy to guide and mobilize Ugandans in the diaspora to participate in national economic development. The diaspora associations in Zambia do not hold regular mobilization meetings to enable Ugandans in Zambia to know how to participate in national development (62%). There is no investment plan to support potential Ugandans in Zambia to invest in Uganda (62%). There are no annual home coming visits organized to show how Ugandans in the diaspora can spot investment opportunities in the country (63%). On a positive note the diaspora in Zambia remit funds to Uganda. They send funds to Uganda to support their families and therefore contribute to national economic development (92%), a practice that needs to be promoted. Ugandans in Zambia have an association through which they are mobilized for national development (100%) something worth nurturing.
Ugandans in Zambia are aware of the existence and mandate of the Foreign Mission in Tanzania (62%). Ugandans in Zambia collaborate with the Foreign Mission in Tanzania on their diaspora issues (54%). Knowledge about Ugandan diaspora is not sufficient to foster collaboration (92%). Ugandans in Zambia are not registered with their Foreign Mission in Tanzania (100%). Therefore, they cannot be traced easily and mobilized for national development and response emergence. The Ugandan mission in Tanzania serves a large geographical area which compromises its effectiveness (84%). The cost to reach the Uganda mission in Tanzania from Zambia is a limiting factor (92%). Therefore, many Ugandans are burdened by distance and transport costs to reach the Ugandan mission in Tanzania. There are immigration limitations between Tanzania and Zambia that prevent Ugandans in Zambia to contact the Ugandan Mission in Tanzanian (67%). Diaspora Services Department (DSD) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has limitations when handling diaspora issues They have technical, logistical and human capacity to comprehensively handle diaspora challenges (63%). There is little information is known about Ugandans in Zambia (100%). There is no attached mission agency that mobilizes Ugandans in Zambia (62%).
Ugandans in Zambia have means through which they send money to Uganda to support in national development (85%). They send money to their relatives and for other development projects, from which government taps money in form of VAT and other taxes from purchase of goods and services. Ugandans in Zambia are fully informed about the developments taking place in the country (67%).
There are strong social ties between Ugandans in Zambia (54%). However, Uganda lacks clear statistics of the Ugandans in Zambia (85%). Ugandans in Zambia feel neglected economically and socially (85%). Uganda diaspora in Zambia have a negative attitude towards the development that is taking place in the country (80%). There is no good economic network among Ugandans in Zambia (69%). There exists no well-known professional bond between Ugandans in Zambia (48%). Ugandans in Zambia have an active association that brands Ugandans in Zambia (79%). Ugandans in Zambia are a sources of investment capital to Uganda (54%). Ugandans in Zambia have a leadership structure through which they are effectively mobilized (54%). Ugandans in Zambia are eager to associate with one another (73%). However, the leadership structure of Ugandans in Zambia limit diaspora mobilization to participate in National Development in the following ways; The diaspora leadership in Zambia is not as strong as in other parts of the world (61%). Leadership is a challenge in the mobilization of Ugandans in Zambia (52%). The Diaspora Services Department (DSD) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not effectively execute its full mandate of mobilizing Ugandans in Zambia (92%). Government does not actively support the economic integration of Ugandan nationals in Zambia (69%). Uganda government does not fully engage Ugandans in Zambia to participate in national development (92%). Leaders of Ugandans in Zambia do not encourage them to productively contribute to national development (58%).
In answering the practical question of how can Ugandans in Zambia be effectively mobilized to participate in National Development, based on the research findings, the research makes the following recommendations; The existing mobilization mechanism can be improved to enable Ugandans in Zambia participate in national development in the following ways; Ugandans in Zambia should be mobilized through a registered and recognized association. The existing associations that unite Ugandans in Zambia should be legally registered. The Ugandans in Zambia who are registered in a diaspora association should be sensitized and made aware of the legal status of these associations. Uganda should develop a diaspora mobilization strategy, that is Uganda should have a clear known diaspora mobilization policy to guide and mobilize Ugandans in the diaspora to participate in national economic development. The diaspora associations in Zambia should hold regular mobilization meetings to enable Ugandans in Zambia to know how to participate in national development. There should be an investment plan to support potential Ugandans in Zambia to invest in Uganda. There should be annual home coming visits organized to show how Ugandans in the diaspora can spot investment opportunities in the country. Government should promote and appreciate a system that acknowledges the diaspora in Zambia that remit funds to Uganda. Thank them for sending funds to Uganda that support their families and contribute to national economic development. Ugandans in Zambia should nurture the association that mobilizes them for national development. The Ugandan foreign mission in Tanzania should conduct more sensitization awareness missions to Ugandans in Zambia on its existence and mandate. More collaboration efforts between Ugandans in Zambia and the Foreign Mission in Tanzania on their diaspora issues.