Highlights:
- Mr. Kayondo was a community leader for 8 years, and is part of returnees.
- About 5000 Ugandans are set to be repatriated from Turkey.
- 470 deported members in the recent months.
In his remarks, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, appreciated the cooperation between the returnees and his office. He encouraged them to continue coordinating the young people who have returned home, giving them hope that government is willing to unite and rehabilitate returnees, since they have skills that can add value to socio-economic transformation.
“Comfort returnees and give them hope such that they can gain strength to face the new normal back home. Work hand-in-hand, unite & document returnees, in order to immerse their skills in President Museveni’s job and wealth creation programs,” he said.
The Chairperson of returnees from Turkey, Mr. Yasin Kayondo, thanked the Ambassador for laying a firm foundation and platform, through which they express their concerns to government. He, however, noted that some of the returnees are deported without anything, completely, hence find difficulties trying to adapt to life back home.
In this sense, he requested government to instill hope in the returnees, and lay modalities to have them taken on into the workforce, since majority have attained skills in tailoring, shoe making, welding, among others, which cross cards with the Presidential empowerment initiatives.
Kayondo also thanked government for the efforts rendered to them, during tough times. “We were welcomed at Entebbe International Airport by Immigration authorities who made us feel at home. I ask government to swiftly intervene, to help those who are still in Turkey’s detention centres.”
What you need to know:
Ambassador Walusimbi reassured that government is willing and has ongoing measures, especially negotiations with relevant Turkish authorities & rehabilitation of returnees to resolve the concerns.
In addition, he disclosed that the Office of the President and relevant stakeholders will in April, organise and host returnees from Turkey & other states, to forge a path for working solutions.
