By Joseph Sooka
The Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV, has commended Basoga living and working in the United Arab Emirates for their contribution to Uganda’s economy and urged them to preserve their cultural identity while investing in development back home.
The Kyabazinga made the call on September 26, 2026, while celebrating his 12th Coronation Anniversary with Basoga and other Ugandans living in the UAE.
The celebrations, held in Dubai, brought together members of the Busoga community from different parts of the UAE under the umbrella of Busoga Yaiffe UAE Chapter, led by Mugabi John.
The event was held under the theme: “Inspiring a New Generation to Carry the Values, Vision and Legacy of Busoga Forward.”
Welcomed by a delegation led by Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, the Kyabazinga was received with Kisoga cultural dances and traditional attire, reflecting the community’s commitment to preserving Busoga’s cultural heritage abroad.
Invest back home
The Kyabazinga thanked the Basoga in the UAE for their unity, hard work and continued support for their families and communities back home.He urged them to use the opportunities available abroad to build sustainable livelihoods while also investing in Busoga and Uganda.
The monarch encouraged members of the diaspora to consider long-term investments, including agriculture, particularly coffee and cocoa production, as a way of securing future incomes.
He also encouraged them to invest in homes and other productive ventures in Busoga.
The Kyabazinga assured potential investors that Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga remains open to everyone interested in investing in the region and is ready to provide support.
He thanked the Basoga and other Ugandans who contributed to the organisation of the anniversary celebrations in Dubai and encouraged them to continue working hard and supporting development initiatives at home.
Preserve Busoga identity abroad
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda urged Basoga living abroad to preserve their identity, culture and values while taking advantage of opportunities in the diaspora to acquire skills, knowledge and professional networks.
Babalanda said the Kyabazinga’s presence in Dubai demonstrated that the institution of Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga transcends geographical boundaries and continues to unite Basoga at home and abroad.She encouraged parents in the diaspora to teach their children the Lusoga language, history and traditions.
She also called on Basoga to support one another, build networks and work collectively for the development of Busoga and Uganda.
“Busoga must never be far from you,” Babalanda told the community.
She urged the diaspora to save and invest wisely, acquire new skills and prepare for the possibility of returning home with knowledge, experience and resources that can contribute to development.She reminded them that, regardless of how comfortable life abroad may become, they should remain connected to the land and culture that shaped their identity and continue serving as good ambassadors of Busoga and Uganda.
UAE offers market opportunities
Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, highlighted the contribution of Ugandans working in the UAE, including professionals, skilled workers and casual labourers, to the country’s economy through remittances, investments and support to families back home.
Kibedi also urged Busoga and Uganda to take advantage of the UAE’s growing demand for agricultural products.
He said the Embassy was ready to support Ugandans seeking to export products such as avocados and sweet potatoes, which he said have significant demand in the UAE market.
He also pointed to investment opportunities arising from UAE companies operating in Uganda, including companies involved in production and employment creation.
Kibedi called for stronger social protection mechanisms for Ugandans in the diaspora and urged the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to expedite the development of insurance arrangements to protect diaspora workers against unforeseen challenges.
He further proposed that the Kyabazinga’s coronation anniversary celebrations become an annual event in the UAE, offering to support preparations for a similar celebration in 2027.
Diaspora workers urged to save for retirement
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Dr Aggrey David Kibenge, highlighted government efforts to strengthen laws and guidelines protecting Ugandan workers, including those living and working abroad.
He encouraged members of the diaspora to embrace a voluntary savings programme being initiated by the ministry through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as a way of preparing for retirement and old age.
Kibenge commended Ugandans in the UAE for contributing to the national economy through their businesses and other enterprises, as well as through financial support to families and communities at home.
Celebrating Busoga culture abroad
The Dubai celebrations provided an opportunity for the Basoga to showcase their cultural heritage through traditional dress, music and dance while celebrating the institution of Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga.
The Kyabazinga was accompanied by Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda, Dr Aggrey David Kibenge, Operations Manager in the Office of the Kyabazinga Affairs and Kyabazinga Initiatives Julius Alpha Kalugu, Manager Growth at Kyabazinga Initiatives Samuel Niiwo, and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Kyabazinga Initiatives Jonah Mwesigwa.
The Dubai celebration followed the main 12th Coronation Anniversary celebrations organised by Busoga Kingdom on September 19 in Bunha Chiefdom, Mayuge District, under the theme “Strengthening Our Cultural Values and Norms for Development.”
The reigning Kyabazinga was enthroned on September 13, 2014, and his coronation anniversary has become an important occasion for celebrating Busoga’s cultural heritage while highlighting the Kingdom’s development aspirations.
The Dubai gathering underscored a growing message from Busoga leadership: that geographical distance should not weaken cultural identity, family ties or the diaspora’s contribution to the development of Busoga and Uganda.
