Abu Dhabi, UAE – Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja held a networking dinner with leaders of Uganda’s diaspora community in the UAE at Abu Dhabi’s Rixos Marina Hotel, acknowledging their contributions to both Uganda and the UAE.
With an estimated 150,000 Ugandans in Abu Dhabi alone, Nabbanja lauded the diaspora’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations.
During the event, Nabbanja highlighted government efforts to support diaspora initiatives, including a $50,000 allocation to the diaspora leadership association and $63,000 for the UAE Uganda Diaspora SACCO.
She also announced plans to establish a shelter for stranded Ugandans in Dubai by 2025.
Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State Foreign Affairs for Africa, praised the Ugandan community for their integrity, hard work, and trustworthiness.
The diaspora leaders expressed concerns over labor export practices, urging the government to set a minimum age of 25 for migrant workers, citing the challenges younger workers face in adjusting to service industry demands.
They also requested leniency on passport renewal regulations, calling for "amnesty" to avoid prohibitive travel requirements.
In response, Nabbanja reaffirmed the government’s support for agricultural tax exemptions and assured them that she would raise their concerns with President Museveni.
She accepted an invitation to the Diaspora Annual Convention in November 2025, promising continued engagement with Uganda’s expatriate community.