Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi’s Visit to Ugandans in Malaysia: Engagement and Pledges for Diaspora Youth
On November 16, 2025, Uganda’s Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to represent Uganda at the Commonwealth Ministers Task Force Meeting 2025. During this official engagement, he took time on the sidelines to interact with the Ugandan diaspora, particularly young Ugandans studying and working in the country. This visit aligns with his mandate to empower youth abroad, foster patriotism, and address practical challenges faced by Ugandans in the diaspora. the interactive session brought together young Ugandans. 
Ateenyi praised the embassy team for their efficiency and commended the participants for promoting Uganda’s positive image abroad through constructive social media use, rather than negativity toward government leaders. During the meeting, the young Ugandans openly shared challenges, reflecting common diaspora hurdles. Ateenyi listened attentively. The conversation was raw and unscripted. Students spoke of visas that expire mid-semester, of job applications rejected because of work-permit hurdles, of passports expired and renewal, work difficulties, and immigration challenges. Others talked about the loneliness of being far from home and the temptation to join negative online campaigns out of frustration. Balaam listened without interrupting, taking notes on his phone. When he finally spoke, he did not offer political slogans; he pledged to personally engage relevant authorities to ease student visa renewals, to push for faster passport processing through mobile consular missions, to coordinate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and to explore bilateral agreements that would open part-time work opportunities for Ugandan students.
Add comment