Remittances from Ugandan workers in Somalia have reached $60,000 every day, approximately shs223 million, according to data from the Ugandan mission in Mogadishu.
Speaking during the ongoing joint regional economic and commercial diplomacy retreat for heads of Uganda’s foreign missions, at Serena Hotel Kigo, in Wakiso district, the head of Uganda’s mission in Mogadishu, Prof. Sam Tulya Muhika said Ugandans working in Somalia remit between $50,000 and $60,000 .
“There are over 25 private security companies in Somalia recruiting and employing Ugandans to provide private security services, canine services and other related private security jobs. Between 2500 and 3000 Ugandans work under private security companies and individuals,” Prof. Tulya Muhika said.
Exports
Whereas to an ordinary person it would appear there are no exports from Uganda to Somalia, the head of the mission said the volume of exports has kept on growing , year by year.
He said the exports have grown from $3.1 million to $8.2 million, following the establishment of the Joint Permanent Commission last year.
He said whereas the biggest export of Uganda to Somalia remains peace by the UPDF serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, the country also exports other products including beverages, tobacco, chemicals, crude materials and live animals among others.
Speaking during the same retreat, Elly Kamahungye, the acting director for regional and international economic affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Uganda’s missions abroad are mandate to engage in economic diplomacy to benefit their country.
“Uganda’s 38 missions abroad remain the lynchpin in promoting the country’s commercial and economic diplomacy. The missions abroad should ensure they attract foreign direct investments to Uganda,” Kamahungye said.
He said this way, foreign direct investments to Uganda will increase and in turn lead to an increase in exports and boost the economy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Vincent Bagiire said Uganda’s missions abroad must be intentional in everything they do.
“We need to improve the manner in which we have been doing economic and commercial diplomacy. We need to be extremely intentional in whatever we do. As we pursue our duties, we need to strengthen East African integration because we need these markets,” Bagiire said.
“It is our duty to engage and work with colleagues in other ministries, departments and agencies to ensure impediments to trade are dealt with.”
