More than 2,000 Ugandans living abroad are preparing to gather in Cape Town later this month to celebrate President-elect Yoweri Museveni’s reported landslide victory, while also unveiling a major diaspora savings and investment initiative.
The two-day event, scheduled for March 28–29 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is being organised by members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the diaspora.
Organisers say the gathering will not only celebrate the January election victory ahead of the President’s swearing-in in May, but also focus on economic empowerment through the launch of a diaspora Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (Sacco).
The initiative is being spearheaded by Phillip Kakuru, who emphasized the potential of mobilising Ugandans abroad into a unified financial force.
According to Kakuru, the estimated four million Ugandans in the diaspora could each contribute at least $50 per month—amounting to about $600 annually per person—which could collectively generate up to $2.5 billion every year.
He noted that such pooled resources could significantly boost Uganda’s economy if invested in key sectors such as real estate, healthcare, and financial services. Long-term plans include the establishment of a diaspora bank in Uganda, inspired by similar cooperative financial models.
Organisers stressed that the Sacco will be open to all Ugandans regardless of political affiliation, aligning with government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, both aimed at improving household incomes.
The Cape Town event is expected to be the first in a series of diaspora engagements planned across regions including the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and other parts of Africa.
Beyond the economic agenda, the event will feature a celebratory gathering bringing together NRM supporters, government officials, private sector players, and members of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The organising committee, led by Abu Mayanja and Umar Batambuze, expects between 1,500 and 2,000 delegates.
Participants will also engage in networking and educational activities, including a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, as well as tours of agricultural value-addition projects in the Western Cape.
The Uganda High Commission in South Africa, led by Ambassador Paul Amoru, will provide on-site consular services including passport processing, national ID registration, and visa assistance.
Several senior Ugandan leaders are expected to attend, including Anita Annet Among and Richard Todwong.
Organisers say the initiative reflects President Museveni’s long-standing focus on socio-economic transformation, financial inclusion, and Pan-African cooperation. Beyond the celebrations, the gathering aims to strengthen diaspora engagement in national development and unlock new investment opportunities linking Ugandans abroad to their home country.
