Ugandans living and working in Kenya have been urged to move beyond sending money home and invest in businesses, property and other income-generating ventures that can build long-term wealth in Uganda.
The call was made during a Diaspora Investment Forum organised by Equity Bank Uganda in partnership with the Uganda Network (UGNET) in Nairobi. The event brought together Ugandan professionals, entrepreneurs and investors in Kenya to discuss investment opportunities back home and financial services that can help them invest across borders.
UGNET Chairperson Dr Phionah Atuhebwe said Ugandans abroad should use their earnings, skills and international connections to build sustainable investments rather than rely solely on remittances.
“The diaspora is far more than just remittances; we are a powerhouse of investment capital, professional expertise, innovation and global networks building wealth across borders. Moving beyond simply sending money home to deliberately building sustainable assets is how we create long-term prosperity,” she said.
Equity Bank Uganda Executive Director Claver Serumaga said the bank was positioning itself to support Ugandans abroad throughout their investment journey, from saving and accessing finance to investing in property and businesses.
He said the bank wanted to establish long-term relationships with diaspora customers by providing financial services that help them achieve their investment goals back home.
“True diaspora banking goes beyond simple transactions; it is about building a solid financial partnership that supports your long-term goals and secures your future back home. Instead of only sending money home, let us focus on meaningful investments that build lasting assets,” Serumaga said.
Delivering the keynote address, Equity Group Managing Director for Asset Management Richard Byarugaba urged participants to develop disciplined financial habits to grow and protect their wealth.
He encouraged them to save consistently, diversify their investments, choose investment opportunities that match their long-term goals and work with regulated financial institutions.
Equity Bank Uganda also presented financial products designed to help Ugandans abroad invest and manage their money back home. These include diaspora savings and current accounts, investment and construction loans, insurance products, investment club accounts and foreign exchange services.
The bank also highlighted its regional banking network, which enables customers to access accounts, transfer money and conduct transactions in different countries where Equity operates.
Winfred Warui, the bank’s Senior Manager for International Banking and Cross-Border Payments, said Ugandans in Kenya could use these services to finance projects such as buying land, completing houses, developing rental properties, investing in agribusiness and expanding businesses.
She added that customers could access their accounts across Equity’s regional markets while benefiting from foreign exchange and international payment services.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Eunice Kigenyi, said the government had a responsibility to help Ugandans abroad invest safely in their home country.
She said the High Commission provides guidance on legal procedures and other requirements to ensure diaspora investments are properly documented and protected.
“Our role is to ensure that as you build your future here, you also build your home. We provide the legal and secure pathways to ensure that your hard-earned investments are protected, authenticated, and anchored in trust,” she said.
Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, commended Equity for serving as a bridge between Ugandan and Kenyan business communities, helping diaspora members channel their earnings into productive investments both back home and in their host countries.
He recalled a similar engagement recently held in Kampala, where Kenyans living and working in Uganda were encouraged to move beyond traditional remittances and embrace structured investments as a pathway to long-term wealth creation.
He noted that such initiatives strengthen regional integration by connecting people, businesses, and opportunities across borders.
