The government has introduced a tougher set of rules to better protect Ugandans travelling abroad for work, particularly in the Middle East, after growing concern over abuse, deception and unsafe recruitment practices. The reforms are designed to close long-standing gaps that have left many migrant workers exposed once they leave the country.
Labour externalisation has become a major source of employment and income for Uganda over the past decade.
Since 2016, more than 280,000 Ugandans have secured jobs overseas, mainly in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Their remittances, estimated at about $1.3 billion annually, have supported families and strengthened the economy, but cases of exploitation and mistreatment have continued to surface.
Launching the new framework at the Uganda Media Centre, State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Esther Anyakun Davinia acknowledged both the gains and the dangers of overseas employment. She said the government could no longer ignore the risks facing workers and that stronger controls were necessary to protect Ugandans seeking opportunities abroad.
Central to the reforms is a new four-party employment contract that brings together the worker, the foreign employer, the local recruitment agency and the government. This arrangement is intended to end the blame-shifting that often occurs when problems arise, by making recruitment agencies legally responsible for the welfare and safety of the workers they place abroad.
The ministry has also made worker preparation a priority. Domestic workers must now undergo a compulsory 14-day pre-departure training to understand their rights, contracts and living conditions. In addition, a Migrant Worker Resource Centre has been established to provide information, handle disputes and support reintegration when workers return home.
Oversight of recruitment has been strengthened through a digital system known as the External Employment Management Information System. Through this platform, job seekers can confirm whether recruitment companies and job offers are properly licensed and approved. The ministry says the system is partly funded by Shs34.2 billion collected in non-tax revenue from recruitment licensing and contract attestation fees over the last four years.
The government has also issued a strong warning to the public against unlicensed brokers. Ugandans were advised to ignore job adverts circulated by individuals, tour and travel companies or social media pages, stressing that only licensed recruitment agencies are authorised to send workers abroad and that domestic workers should not be charged recruitment fees.
To respond quickly to abuse or contract violations, reporting and emergency mechanisms have been reinforced, including the toll-free Sauti 116 helpline and an online complaints platform. Workers were urged to travel strictly on employment visas and to leave copies of their signed contracts with family members, a step officials say adds an extra layer of protection.
